Heather T Lacey

From literary scholar to leading voice in disability advocacy and inclusive business

Heather T Lacey is a multi-award-winning disability rights advocate, writer, and speaker.

While undertaking both her BA and MRes degrees in English at the University of Hull, she cultivated a deep academic interest in critical disability studies, shaped by her lived experience of disability and neurodivergence. Her research interrogated literary representations of disability, highlighting the urgent need for broader societal awareness of the systemic barriers met by disabled individuals.

Driven by her research findings and a personal commitment to empowerment, Heather began using social media as a platform to merge academic insight with personal advocacy. This digital engagement enabled her to amplify underrepresented narratives and foster community among disabled individuals navigating similar challenges.

Following her academic studies and professional experience in further education and corporate governance, Heather has established a successful career in marketing and business development within professional services. She currently works at Eversheds Sutherland, where she integrates her professional expertise with lived experience to lead global marketing and business development initiatives. In parallel, she plays a critical role in advancing disability inclusion in the workplace, serving as co-chair of her firm’s disability employee resource group and chair of pro-Manchester's DEI sub-committee on disability, neurodiversity, and mental health, promoting inclusive practices across Northern England.

Heather is deeply committed to shaping policy and DEI strategies through the lens of lived experience. She has collaborated with a range of organisations, including the BBC, Scope, Business Disability Forum, AccessAble, HuffPost, the Recruitment Industry Disability Initiative, and PM Forum, delivering workshops, training, published content, and panel contributions. Her sustained impact has earned her multiple accolades, including repeated recognition on the UK’s ‘Disability Power 100’ list and inclusion on the Northern Power Women’s ‘Future List’ for her contributions to gender equality.