New Horizons for leaders with sight loss

“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, from 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.

Adam Portlock, President, Hult Ashridge Executive Education said: “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."

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.

Darren, Guide Dogs UK, said: “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.”

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."

Notes to editors

1. Vision Partnership - A partnership was established in October 2020 comprising of: Blind Veterans UK, Glaucoma UK, Guide Dogs, Macular Society, Retina UK, RNIB, Thomas Pocklington Trust and Visionary, which is the membership organisation of over 110 local sight loss charities across the UK. The partnership operates in an informal way and, by not having a formal structure, means that the charities benefit from working in partnership with other like-minded organisations, while also giving each charity the autonomy to work independently to benefit their own supporters and service-users.
2. Thomas Pocklington Trust strives for equality of blind and partially sighted people in every aspect of society. We are a charitable organisation with a dedicated staff – over half of us are blind or partially sighted – and over 200 volunteers who have lived experience of sight loss. Our mission is to support blind and partially sighted people to bring about equity and inclusion in every aspect of society. To find out more, visit: www.pocklington.org.uk
3. Guide Dogs is here to help the two million people in the UK living with sight loss live the life they choose. Children and adults. Friends and family. Our expert staff, volunteers and life-changing dogs are here to help people affected by sight loss live actively, independently and well. Founded in 1934, following our first partnership in 1931, we are a charity that is almost entirely dependent on donations. Find out more at guidedogs.org.uk
4. We are the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB). Every six minutes, someone in the UK begins to lose their sight. RNIB is taking a stand against exclusion, inequality and isolation to create a world without barriers where people with sight loss can lead full lives. A different world where society values blind and partially sighted people not for the disabilities they’ve overcome, but for the people they are. RNIB. See differently. Call the RNIB Helpline on 0303 123 9999 or visit www.rnib.org.uk
5. Hult Ashridge Executive Education partners with global businesses and governments to deliver leadership and organizational development solutions that create lasting change. As pioneers of experiential and human-centered learning, we’ve been delivering transformational leadership and organizational development solutions since 1959. By blending academic excellence of Hult International Business School with real-world practitioner experience, our deeply practical approach ensures our tailored solutions are entirely fit for the reality of the organizations we work with.