Born in the UK where he trained as a Clinical Psychologist, Dr Sarb Johal's experience encompasses clinical practice, frontline services, policy development and Ministerial advice and strategic communications. Since 2009, he has helped the New Zealand and UK governments, as well as the World Health Organisation, develop psychosocial responses to some of the major crises of the last decade, including the H1N1 pandemic, the Canterbury earthquakes, the Kaikoura earthquake, the Christchurch mosque shootings and most recently, the Covid-19 pandemic. Dr Johal lives in Wellington, New Zealand, with his wife and young family.