(DR) Gill Hicks AM MBE

Thought Leader / Multi-disciplined Creative

Gill Hicks’ life symbolises transformative possibilities, she is the embodiment of the power of Choice and her belief to ‘Live like your life depends on it’ permeates through her work – impacting individuals and inspiring audiences worldwide.

From her roots in the London design scene, an awarded and respected Creative, she has an extraordinary wealth of experience; from specialist publishing to large scale building projects and everything in between! An artist’s eye makes her signature unique, the passion to probe the ‘why’ to create and design the ‘how’ is what fuels her mind. Shifting ideas, finding meaning, building perspective and adding a joie de vivre.

Gill is someone who knows about Difference and Diversity. Permanently injured in the 2005 London terrorist bombings, Gill’s survival is a story of the power of Humanity and our Connection, a connection so powerful that Gill attributes her life being saved, not just on July 7 2005 but every single day because of the bond that makes a Human.

The need to Make a Difference with the life she had been given back was born in those early days in the aftermath of the bombing. The acronym M.A.D. became the perfect platform to build an impressive portfolio of pioneering community cohesion initiatives and countering the destructive narratives of violent extremism.

As Founding Director of The M.A.D. Creative Agency, this exciting chapter is the culmination of Design and Lived experience – where an Artistic powerhouse is enabled to thrive by understanding that Life is a Quest and perhaps the purpose is to build Wisdom through experiences. It is the ‘Wisdom Exchange’ that informed Gill’s thought leadership on the importance of H.I, H.C.I and H.E.I. ( Human Creative and Emotional Intelligence) and how this sits within an advancing environment of Artificial Intelligence. 

Combining lived experience and design thinking, her unique methodology for navigating and enveloping change is at the core of her Speaking and presentation works.

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, to accept and adapt to and with Change.

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

‘May the right ears Hear the right words’ and ‘Just because I can’t feel the ground, doesn’t mean its not there, you must Believe’ are two of her most poignant repeated mantra’s.