BASE is delighted to announce the charity’s first Strategic Advocates; Professor Adam Whitworth, Professor of Employment Policy. Work & Health, University of Strathclyde and Hector Minto, founder of Kerbcut Ltd and previously UK Government Disability and Access Ambassador
Professor Adam Whitworth joins BASE as Strategic Advocate for Research and Evidence, bringing extensive knowledge of employment, disability, labour markets and social policy. His expertise will support BASE’s commitment to strengthening the evidence base for supported employment and ensuring that the experiences of practitioners, employers and disabled people continue to inform policy and practice.
Hector Minto joins as Strategic Advocate for Responsible AI and Innovation. A recognised leader in accessibility and inclusive technology, Hector will help BASE explore how emerging technologies can be used safely, ethically and effectively to improve employment outcomes for disabled and neurodivergent people, while remaining firmly aligned to the values and principles of supported employment. The appointment reflects BASE’s ambition to ensure innovation is guided by inclusion, quality and lived experience.
These newly created voluntary roles have been established to strengthen BASE’s ability to champion high-quality supported employment, amplify the voices of our members, and help shape the future of inclusive employment across the UK. The roles were developed to bring additional expertise and influence on key areas of strategic importance to the charity and sit outside the National Executive Committee (NEC), providing specialist insight and support to the organisation and its membership.
Laura Davis , BASE CEO
These appointments come at a pivotal moment for BASE as we continue to expand our influence across policy, practice, research and employer engagement. Adam and Hector bring expertise that will help strengthen the evidence base, drive innovation and accelerate progress towards a more inclusive labour market.
The Strategic Advocate roles reflect our commitment to collaboration, ambition and system change. Working alongside our members and partners, they will help champion what works, challenge barriers and ensure more people can access meaningful employment and long-term career opportunities.
We are delighted to welcome Adam and Hector and look forward to the impact they will have in helping shape a future where talent is recognised, opportunity is accessible and inclusion is the norm, not the exception.
Together, Adam and Hector will support BASE by sharing their expertise, opening doors to new partnerships and opportunities, contributing to strategic conversations, and helping amplify the charity’s mission that employment and a good career should be available to everyone. The roles have been designed to complement the knowledge and experience of BASE’s trustees, members and staff while strengthening the organisation’s reach and influence.
Professor Adam Whitworth
I’m excited to take on the role of strategic advocate for research and evidence with BASE. It has been a pleasure over recent years to work with BASE, its members and policy colleagues to grow and strengthen design and evidence around supported employment and the important role that it plays in the UK employability landscape. I look forward to continuing to work with partners to grow and strengthen the evidence base around high quality supported employment to ensure that we are all of us doing the best that we can for disabled and vulnerable jobseekers, employers and policy stakeholders at all levels of government
Hector Minto
I’m delighted to take on this role with BASE. Over the last number of years, the supported employment community has given me such a warm welcome, embracing technology, and I’m genuinely grateful for that. At a time when society’s digital transformation, the rise of AI, and persistent workplace inclusion challenges are all reshaping the landscape, I’m looking forward to working with BASE to help ensure innovation supports better employment outcomes for disabled and neurodivergent people.
Get Involved
At BASE, we believe that creating a more inclusive labour market requires collaboration, innovation and a shared commitment to quality. Whether you are a supported employment provider, employer, educator, policymaker, researcher or someone with lived experience, there is a place for you within our community.
As we welcome Adam and Hector into their Strategic Advocate roles, we look forward to strengthening conversations around evidence, innovation, quality and inclusion across the sector.
Want to be part of the conversation?
- Explore our training, resources and events.
- Follow our work on policy, research and quality assurance.
- Share your ideas, experiences and challenges with us.
Together, we can continue to champion a future where everyone who wants to work has the opportunity, support and confidence to do so.
Find out more about BASE membership, events and resources or contact us to discuss how you can get involved.
