Today, 4 June 2025, marks the dawn of an exciting new chapter for leaders with lived experience of sight loss. New Horizons, a pioneering leadership programme, is set to empower these leaders with the skills and confidence to accelerate their careers, fostering a more diverse and inclusive leadership landscape.
‘I applied to New Horizons because it is an exciting and unique opportunity—the first leadership programme specifically for leaders with lived experience of sight loss’ said Rosaleen, RNIB. ‘My previous experience has shown me that while blind and partially sighted people can often get into management roles, their opportunities to get into leadership positions can be limited. I think this is due to a lack of awareness around accessibility at a senior level within some organisations and an underestimation of the capabilities of blind and partially sighted people.’
Led by RNIB, Guide Dogs, and Thomas Pocklington Trust, under the Vision Partnership, New Horizons is a beacon of hope and opportunity. This innovative programme has been meticulously crafted in collaboration with Hult Ashridge Executive Education, a provider of leadership and organisational development solutions with over 65 years of experience.
‘Partnering on the New Horizons programme is a proud moment for us – it's an important step toward ensuring that leaders with lived experience of sight loss are empowered, elevated, and recognised for the value they bring to the workplace. Hult Ashridge is honoured to deliver this pioneering initiative with the Vision Partnership and to support leaders and organisations to redefine what inclusive leadership looks like.’ Adam Portlock, President, Hult Ashridge Executive Education
The journey begins with a three-day residential launch module in early June, designed to ignite the participants' leadership potential. This immersive experience will be followed by personal assessments and one-on-one coaching, offering deep self-insight and tailored guidance. As the programme unfolds, participants will engage in dynamic skills bursts, focusing on resilience, impactful leadership, collaboration, and agility. These sessions are designed to equip them with the tools needed to thrive as vision-impaired leaders. The closing module will ensure that the growth and impact achieved during the programme are sustained long into the future.
‘In a previous role, my manager believed my sight condition was mild and that it can be cured by wearing glasses, improved with lighting, as VI people only fit into one negative stereotype. In general when I worked outside the sight loss sector, I felt my eye condition was measured against my ability to do a job or lead’ said Beverley, Thomas Pocklington Trust.
A standout feature of New Horizons is the real-world project, where participants will apply their newly acquired skills in practical settings. This hands-on experience is complemented by mentorship from senior leaders who are also blind or partially sighted, providing invaluable support and inspiration.
The benefits for participants are manifold. They will gain enhanced leadership skills, learn from some of the best facilitators and coaches in the country, and build a strong network of peers with similar experiences. This community of leaders will be a powerful force for change, using their lived experience to drive improvements in their organisations and the wider sector.
‘Historically, the main barrier I experienced was cultural - senior leaders in the company I worked for before joining the sight loss sector did not perceive me or my capabilities in any context beyond the role I had.’ Darren, Guide Dogs UK
The goals of New Horizons are ambitious yet achievable. By accelerating the careers of leaders with sight loss, the programme aims to ensure that leadership teams are truly representative of the communities they serve. It seeks to change perceptions about the value of lived experience in leadership and to improve decision-making within organisations through diverse input.
This pilot programme is just the beginning. Based on the feedback and success of the first cohort, New Horizons hopes to offer even more leaders the opportunity to shine in future. Beverley added ‘More courses such as New Horizons for various levels are needed, where blind and partially sighted people can be in positions where they thrive, feel supported and encouraged to stay in a job’.
