Vicki Gilman

Executive chair, Social Return Case Management

Vicki began her career as a physiotherapist, including at the Military Rehabilitation Unit QEMH Woolwich, where her passion for people and outcomes quickly shone through.

She soon moved into leadership, taking on clinical governance and service delivery roles before co-founding Neural Pathways, an organisation now synonymous with high-quality, life-changing rehabilitation services.

Never one to stand still, Vicki went on to establish Social Return Case Management in 2015, while also being invited to become a Director of Sleep Unlimited.

These ventures demonstrate both her entrepreneurial vision and her ability to elevate organisations, delivering excellence across very different areas of health and social care. Her track record highlights not just her leadership, but her deep commitment to driving meaningful improvements for clients, employees, and the sector as a whole.

In 2021, Vicki became Chair of BABICM, a national membership organisation for case managers.

What makes this achievement so inspiring is not the position itself, but the way she embraced it: dedicating at three days a week voluntarily to transform the organisation.

Under her guidance, BABICM advanced in professionalism, governance, EDI, and member engagement, all underpinned by the mantra: “everything we do is for our members.” This reflects her unwavering compassion and her belief in empowering both colleagues and the next generation of leaders.

At the same time she joined the pioneering Management Team at the Institute of Case Managers, founding the governing body for the profession and representing BABICM members. She continues to be at the cutting edge of IRCM since she stepped down from BABICM Chairship, giving her time and expertise, again voluntarily,  to the Events and Communications group.

Vicki continues to share her knowledge as she has transitioned into the academic sector, mentoring future health professionals and entrepreneurs. This next chapter is yet another example of her lifelong contribution to the betterment of the health and care sector.

Alongside her many achievements, Vicki remains grounded and approachable, often joking about her hobby of creating “wonky pots.”

It is this mix of humility and vision that makes her such a unique and inspiring leader.

Patrick Litani

Chief operating officer, The London Neurocognitive Clinic

Mr Patrick Litani stands out as a leader in neurorehabilitation for his ability to integrate operational excellence with compassionate patient care.

As the Chief Operating Officer of The London Neurocognitive Clinic for the past three and a half years, Patrick plays a crucial role in the clinic's success, steering its strategic direction and  enhancing its reputation as a leading provider of neurocognitive assessment and therapy. 

With a background in international relations and financial brokering, and as a Finnish/Lebanese citizen growing up in the UK, with a passion for human rights, he brings a perspective that values equality, diversity, and inclusion, and fuels the ethos of our clinic, but also ensures that we operate exceptionally as a business. 

One of Patrick's most significant contributions is his innovative approach to  marketing strategy. Recognising the importance of visibility and outreach in a competitive healthcare landscape, he designed campaigns that extend the clinic's  influence beyond traditional channels.

His initiatives involve leveraging digital  platforms and community engagement to educate and inform the public about  neurocognitive care, consequently attracting a diverse patient demographic and establishing the clinic as a beacon of hope for those in need. 

Patrick’s commitment to regulatory compliance is equally commendable. In a field where patient safety and trust are paramount, he ensures that the clinic meets and exceeds all regulatory standards. His meticulous attention to detail guarantees that every procedure aligns with the latest health guidelines, fostering a culture of  transparency and accountability. This dedication not only protects the clinic from  legal pitfalls but also reassures patients and their families about the quality and  safety of the care they receive. 

Efficiency in service delivery is another area where Patrick excels. Understanding that timely and effective treatment is crucial in neurorehabilitation, he has streamlined operational processes to minimise patient wait times and enhance care  delivery.

By adopting state-of-the-art management systems and fostering a team based approach, Patrick has significantly improved the clinic’s response times and  treatment outcomes including the introduction of measures that focus on enhancing quality of life and goal attainment.

This focus on efficiency ensures that patients  receive the right care at the right time, making a tangible difference in their recovery  journeys. 

Beyond his operational acumen, Patrick embodies the core values of leadership that  inspire his team. He cultivates an environment of continuous learning and  professional development, encouraging his staff to innovate and excel in their roles. 

His open-door policy and collaborative approach to problem-solving foster a sense of community within the clinic, resulting in a motivated and cohesive workforce  dedicated to achieving the best outcomes for patients. 

Patrick’s compassion shines through in every facet of his work.

He understands that  each patient's journey is unique and requires a personalised human touch. By advocating for holistic person-centred care models, he ensures that treatment plans  are tailored to individual needs, incorporating not just clinical insights but also  patients’ personal stories and aspirations.

His ability to connect with patients and  clinicians alike emphasises that, for Patrick, healthcare is about more than just  metrics; it’s about making a genuine difference in people’s lives.

Aliyyah-Begum Nasser

Operations director, Askham Rehab

As a second-generation leader, Aliyyah-Begum Nasser has guided Askham's growth from a single home into a multi-home specialist rehabilitation community. Throughout this expansion, she has consistently advocated publicly for improved neurorehabilitation services and worked to challenge negative perceptions of social care, giving the sector a stronger voice.

Her commitment to innovation is evident in the service she leads, which combines traditional hands-on therapy with robotics and sensor-assisted technology, alongside hydrotherapy facilities. This approach demonstrates how best practice can be integrated into everyday care rather than remaining theoretical.

Beyond her organisation, she contributes to national best-practice guidance for rehabilitation settings and maintains a visible presence through regular sector commentary and ambassadorial roles. These activities show her influence extends across the broader neurorehabilitation field.

She has also championed research translation by driving Askham's sponsorship of the NR Times Research Project of the Year, supporting efforts to move innovative ideas from concept into practical application more quickly.

Prior to this, Aliyyah was a Consultant at Bain & Company, primarily working on organisational strategy and change across a number of industries.

Aliyyah holds a position on the Eastern Region Brain Injury Forum Steering Committee. Prior to this Aliyyah was a Trustee on the Board of the Spinal Injuries Association, and a founding member on the Trustee Board of Maslaha, a London-based charity seeking to change and challenge the impact of current negative discourse on Muslim communities. She has a strong involvement in voluntary work through her faith community, the Shia Ismaili Muslims.

Supporting the goal of improving quality of life across all areas of her work, Aliyyah is a trained mediator – supporting individuals and organisations to overcome conflicts in a positive manner.

Aliyyah has recently completed with Distinction a Masters in Social Business and Entrepreneurship at the London School of Economics. She holds a degree in Philosophy, Politics, & Economics from Worcester College, Oxford and is mother to two young children.

Sarah Sparkles

Director (clinical) and lead physiotherapist, LEGS

When Sarah Sparkes joined LEGS in 2020, she brought far more than her title of Specialist Physiotherapist in neurological rehabilitation. She brought leadership that has transformed the experience of our participants, strengthened our team, and redefined what excellence looks like in a small, resource-stretched charity.

She leads with clarity, care, and an unwavering belief in people’s capacity to improve.

As Clinical Lead, Sarah is responsible for developing and delivering rehabilitation programmes including in-person and online classes for people living with complex neurological conditions. Her knowledge is matched only by her compassion.

She leads every session with warmth, humour and humanity and it’s no exaggeration to say that she changes lives.

But her impact goes far beyond individual sessions.

Sarah has been instrumental in shaping the clinical direction of LEGS during a period of growth and change.

Under her leadership, LEGS has expanded its reach, formalised its clinical model, and integrated new technologies to improve access.

She consistently challenges the team to meet a higher standard, whether that’s in evidence-based practice, participant safeguarding, or inclusive communication. She is the team's moral compass as well as its clinical one.

Sarah has also created and continues to lead our physiotherapy student placement programme in collaboration with a local university.

With each intake, she provides a nurturing but stretching environment where students are encouraged to think critically, reflect deeply, and grow in confidence. It’s a professional rite of passage. 

Sarah's leadership style is not loud or self-congratulatory. She leads by example. She is the first to show up, the last to leave, and the one you call when something doesn’t feel quite right.

She has an instinctive ability to hold the bigger picture, the oeganisation's values, its clinical duty, its community, while never losing sight of the person in front of her.

During the challenges of the pandemic and the uncertain return to in-person classes, Sarah was pivotal in helping the service remain consistent, responsive, and safe.

She co-designed its hybrid model and ensured staff and participants alike felt confident returning to group settings.

It is a testament to her leadership that LEGS' clinical delivery not only survived the pandemic, it became stronger.

She is also a natural mentor to newer colleagues and volunteers. She creates space for others to learn, reflect, and find their own style, never gatekeeping knowledge or playing the expert.

Her humility and openness create psychological safety in theteam. She cares deeply about how her team really are - what’s going on in their lives beyond work. 

Sarah has been described by participants as “a godsend,” “life-changing,” and “the best physiotherapist I’ve ever had.”

Her sessions are more than classes, they are community. She meets people in their most vulnerable moments and helps them reclaim a sense of dignity, autonomy and possibility. She restores movement and, just as powerfully, she restores belief.

It’s hard to convey the scale of Sarah’s contribution because much of it is quiet, continuous, and done behind the scenes. She’s the one reviewing risk assessments at 9pm. She’s the one supporting a participant on their first outing on public transport after stroke, arranging parties to celebrate milestones and successes, writing cards of support to people who are struggling. She’s the one updating a student’s learning plan on her day off. These aren't extras, this is who she is. Her leadership is an everyday practice.

Sarah has helped shape LEGS into a clinically credible, participant-led organisation with a national reputation for excellence. She is building something that will outlast her — a team empowered by her example, a culture rooted in values, and a service that meets people where they are and helps them move forward.