Dr Gill Hicks AM MBE

Dr Gill Hicks AM MBE's Biography

Dr Gill Hicks AM MBE is a powerful, life-affirming, and memorable speaker whose life symbolises transformative possibilities, impacting and inspiring audiences worldwide.

Gill is a woman who considers herself lucky to even be alive. Gill lost both her legs from below the knee as a result of the London bombings of July 2005. On that morning, she had to find the inner strength to not only fight for her life, but to learn to walk again using prosthetic legs.

Despite enduring permanent injury and losing both legs in the 2005 London terrorist bombings, she vowed to Do More than Survive and devote her efforts to communicating the wonder and awe of the Human spirit.

Through her groundbreaking work, The Fragile Project, Hicks explores a position that transcends traditional concepts of resilience, encouraging a fundamental shift in how we approach change. Rather than merely surviving adversity, she advocates for becoming Agile within a Fragile existence – accepting change as an omnipresent part of life’s journey.

Drawing from 20 years of lived experience, Hicks has developed a transformative methodology. This powerful framework goes beyond conventional resilience, offering a practical approach to finding opportunity within adversity and flexibility within change. The Fragile Project represents a deeper exploration of our collective ability to embrace change in all forms, fostering an agile mindset that helps us navigate life's complexities with greater stability and positivity.

Awarded and recognised with doctorates from London Metropolitan, Kingston and the University of South Australia, an MBE and AM, Gill brings her experience from a respected and expansive UK career within Design and the Arts to champion critical thinking, particularly within the areas of violent extremism.

Combining lived experience and design thinking, her unique methodology for navigating and enveloping change is at the core of each presentation. Exploring the fragility of our existence and highlighting our strength and ability to live and grow within uncertainty is where Gill cuts through and encourages a new way of thinking, of being and flourishing.

‘Spell-bound’ and ‘life changing’ are common responses from audiences of 10,000 to small teams, her carefully crafted messaging leaves a lasting impression.

In today’s rapidly changing world, organisations and individuals are constantly told to be more resilient. But what if we’re focusing on the wrong thing? What if, instead of building walls to withstand change, we learned to flow with it?

Through The Fragile Project, Gill offers a radical alternative: by acknowledging our fragility, we discover our true strength. This work isn’t just about personal transformation – it’s about creating a fundamental shift in how we approach change, challenge, and elevating potential in our organisations and communities.

When we embrace our fragility, we:

Foster deeper connections and understanding

Build more authentic and adaptable teams

Create cultures that thrive on change rather than resist it

Enable more compassionate and effective leadership

Gill continues to be recognised and highly awarded for her work within the Arts, Community and Healthcare. She was been honoured with an MBE for her services to charity in the Queen’s New Year’s Honours List, and an AM for her ongoing devotion to making a positive difference through her own adversity. Gill became both Australian of the Year in the UK and Australian Woman of the Year in the UK.

To enquire about Gill Hicks contact Helene Greenham directly – helene@platinumspeakers.com.au

Speaking Topics Include

EXPLORING AGILITY WITHIN A FRAGILE EXPERIENCE

Unlocking Empathy, Innovation, and Transformation in the Workplace

In this thought-provoking keynote, we'll explore how accepting our shared fragility can become a wellspring of empathy and understanding. Learn why acknowledging our interconnectedness and vulnerabilities is the first step towards meaningful change and innovation in the workplace.

Key Takeaways:

• Techniques for cultivating a culture of openness and shared vulnerability
• How to use acceptance as a springboard for creativity, problem-solving, and compassion
• Strategies for leaders to model acceptance and inspire their teams to embrace fragility

THE TRIPLE A EFFECT

Transform How You Navigate Change

Discover how the AAA methodology can revolutionise your organisation's approach to change by harnessing the power of shared vulnerability. This keynote will introduce you to a powerful framework that turns perceived weaknesses into sources of strength. Attendees will learn how to foster a culture of empathy, interconnectedness, and continuous growth, enabling your organisation to thrive amidst uncertainty and constant change.

Key Takeaways:

• Understanding the interconnected nature of Accept, Adjust, and Adapt in relation to our shared fragility.
• Strategies for implementing AAA across all levels of your organisation to create a more compassionate workplace.
• Tools for measuring and nurturing organisational empathy and interconnectedness.

CREATING THE NEW

The Power of Understanding Adaptability

This keynote explores the power of adaptation through the lens of interconnectedness. Learn how to create an environment where continuous learning, evolution, and empathy are not just encouraged but embedded in your organisational DNA. We'll discuss how to turn adaptation into a catalyst for creating a more compassionate world, starting with your workplace.

Key Takeaways:

• Strategies for fostering a culture of continuous learning, innovation, and empathy
• How to leverage adaptation for long-term sustainability and growth while nurturing compassion
• Tools for measuring and accelerating your organisation's capacity for empathy and positive change