Gill Hicks

Severely and permanently injured in the London bombings, Gill Hicks lost both legs from below the knee. She discovered a great inner strength to not only fight for her life that morning but to learn to walk again using prosthetic legs.
 
Gill is truly grateful to even be alive. She is determined to make her life count, to make a significant difference. Her aim is to use her experience to do all she can to deter anyone from following a path of violent action. She is a firm believer that we all have the strength and ability to make a difference and to create a world that is peaceful.
 
Originally from Adelaide, Gill has lived in London since 1992 and now divides her time between the UK and Australia. She is former Publishing Director of the architecture, design and contemporary culture magazine, Blueprint, Director of Dangerous Minds multi-disciplinary design and publishing group, and latterly Head of Curation at the UK's Design Council. She is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, Trustee of the Women's Playhouse Trust and is an Advisor to Psychology Beyond Borders.
 
Gill was appointed Ambassador for Peace Direct (Best New Charity), an Advocate for Leonard Cheshire Disability and most recently has founded M.A.D. for Peace, a not-for-profit organisation which communicates the importance of our individual responsibility in creating a world in which extreme conflict is ended.

She is well-known for her inspirational talks and seminars with many diverse organizations in the UK and Australia including charities, city institutions, schools and community groups. 

Her first book, 'One Unknown', is published by Rodale, part of Pan Macmillan and was shortlisted for the Mind Book of the Year.

Gill has recently been honoured with an MBE for her services to charity in the Queen's New Year's Honours List, and became both Australian of the Year in the UK and Australian Woman of the Year in the UK. She was also recently listed in the prestigious edition of  'Who's Who of Australian Women'.

Client Ovations: You could hear a pin drop, in all my years in events management I have never seen an audience so gripped by every word, Gill inspired us all, amazing...

Caroline, Events Manager, Adelaide Convention Centre

Gill held the audience spellbound for well over an hour. The presentation was both confronting and inspirational. It gave our members a new perspective on prioritising their lives and what is truly important as well as the sheer determination in beating the odds... truly a unique experience

David McDonough, YPO Education Chair, Adelaide

In her speaking engagements on behalf of Leonard Cheshire Disability she always manages to move and inspire people so their combined energy and creativity can be used positively to benefit others less able

Assaf Adoni, Former Director, Leonard Cheshire Disability

Gill gave two of the best received, uplifting and thought provoking presentations I have heard in many years of attending conferences and events. Her presentation at the National Meetings and Events Association in Adelaide in April 2009 achieved the highest ever rating from attendees for a presentation at the conference. The Melbourne presentation was equally well received by a totally different audience and greatly added to the effectiveness of the lunch and the achievement of its objectives.

Leigh Harry, Chief Executive, Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre

One could not help but be inspired and challenged - and in the very self centred world of the City reflective on how we spend our time, live our lives and evaluate what is truly important. Pity I could not have made it mandated viewing for all on the trading floor!!!

City Banker

Inspiring! ... Gill was fantastic - I could have listened to her all day! ... She made me realise that little things mean a lot

Nurse in the West Midlands