Eastlight Chair shortlisted for national inclusion award
Our Chair, Hattie Llewelyn-Davies, is a finalist for the Lifetime Achievement in Inclusion and Business Success Award at the 2025 Inclusion Leader Awards.
This award shines a light on people who have spent their lives making sure that everyone is included, respected and heard. For Hattie, that has been her mission for more than 50 years.
From her early work supporting young people in London, to leading housing associations and NHS Trusts, Hattie has always believed that everyone deserves a voice. She has helped create projects for people living with HIV, supported LGBTQIA+ communities, and spoken up for young homeless people when few others did.
At Eastlight, Hattie has made sure that residents are not just listened to, but are leaders, too. Thanks to her vision, residents sit on our Board and play a key role in decisions through the Customer Influence Committee (CIC). As our Chief Executive, Emma Palmer, says:
“Eastlight hasn’t just been shaped by Hattie – it’s been created in her vision. The values that define us today are hers: inclusivity, ambition, accountability and a deep belief in people and communities.”
Residents also describe how Hattie’s kindness and encouragement gave them the confidence to step into leadership roles themselves.
Catherine Turner, Customer Influence Committee Chair and Board Member – who is blind and a wheelchair user – said: “Hattie does a brilliant job of being approachable to everybody, including tenants. When she interviewed me, she made me feel at ease. She made me feel like it was something I could do.”
Former Eastlight resident and CIC chair Michelle Baker said: “Hattie inspired me to be completely myself. Other people wouldn’t think that somebody with disabled children would be able to do the job of CIC chair, but Hattie showed me that my experiences add to what I do. She showed me how to use them, rather than hide them away.”
Winners will be announced at the Leadership Conference and Awards in London this November. Whatever the result, we know the impact of Hattie’s vision, compassion and courage will be felt for many years to come.
