Ollie Thorn

Ollie Thorn is a globally respected keynote speaker, advisor, and facilitator specialising in diversity, equity and inclusion (DE&I), with a particular focus on disability inclusion and workplace accessibility. Drawing on a powerful personal story of resilience following a life-changing motorbike accident in 2012 that left him paralysed from the chest down, Ollie challenges audiences to rethink their understanding of adversity, identity and inclusive leadership. His journey from a would-be British Army officer to an international adaptive athlete and corporate DE&I strategist has made him a compelling voice in the movement for authentic inclusion across sectors. With deep experience in both the charity sector and global business, Ollie brings emotional intelligence, insight and practical strategy to every talk and engagement.

Following his accident, Ollie discovered adaptive sit-skiing during rehabilitation and went on to compete internationally, representing the Armed Forces Para-Snowsport Team and Team GB in sit-ski racing. Simultaneously, he began working in humanitarian and charitable projects focused on disability access and inclusion, including field work in Uganda and India. These experiences cemented his belief in the systemic importance of inclusive design, leadership and communication. Transitioning into the corporate world, Ollie became Senior Manager for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Client Solutions at Michael Page, where he developed strategic frameworks to recruit and retain diverse talent across FTSE 200 companies. He also led the creation of a global disability Employee Resource Group, amplifying the voices of disabled professionals across the business.

A major part of Ollie’s impact lies in his ability to bridge personal narrative with organisational change. He has advised and delivered inclusion strategies for brands such as Channel 4, AXA Insurance and UBS, and regularly facilitates leadership development through programmes like the Valuable 500 Generation Valuable, which pairs senior executives with emerging disabled leaders to drive inclusive culture at the top. His work has directly influenced hiring practices, employee engagement and leadership development in multinational organisations. Ollie has also raised over £1 million for disability-focused charities, further underlining his commitment to systemic change and social impact.

As a speaker, Ollie brings energy, warmth and clarity to complex and often sensitive topics. Whether addressing small executive teams or thousands at international conferences, he delivers keynotes that challenge, inspire and equip audiences to take action. His sessions on demystifying disability, resilience through adversity and inclusive leadership are widely praised for being authentic, engaging and actionable. Ollie is available to speak at events worldwide and continues to use his voice and experience to ensure that inclusion becomes more than a box-ticking exercise – it becomes a mindset shift embedded into leadership and culture.