Vicci is a charity founder and CEO of user-led organisation Inclusion Gloucestershire, working to ensure that people facing disabling barriers are valued, respected and included every day and in every way.

At birth, Vicci’s parents were told that she wouldn’t survive, and if she did, she would be severely disabled. What they weren’t told was that she would juggle brain surgery with getting straight As in her teens, set up a charity aged 22, and be a successful CEO of a leading disability organisation by the age of 27.

Upon graduating, Vicci experienced barriers and misconceptions whilst unsuccessfully job hunting. So she created her own opportunities, securing funding to set up a user-led organisation for physically disabled people. The charity grew and merged with a learning disability user-led organisation to form Inclusion Gloucestershire. It now employs over 60 incredible staff (half of whom are disabled), working alongside disabled people to empower, deliver services and provide a strong voice.

Inclusion Gloucestershire works across the south west, delivering community-based opportunities, training, quality checking, advocacy and influencing policy and decision makers at a local and national level.

Vicci brings a value-based leadership style to a high performing, inclusive team that is making a real difference. She has achieved sustainability and considerable organisational growth amidst challenging external circumstances, including funding cuts and a global pandemic. She delivers training and speeches about inclusion, appearing on ITV News to discuss the benefits of diversity in business, and regularly contributes to campaigns, articles and interviews.