Adeshola Akanji
Nominee Profile
Location: London
Adeshola Akanji is an international speaker, disability advocate, and founder of Ultimate Royal UK, recognised for her impactful work in advancing inclusion, representation, and purpose-driven leadership.
As a Black woman living with multiple disabilities and neurodivergence, Adeshola brings an authentic and powerful lived experience perspective. She has transformed personal challenges into a platform for advocacy, empowering individuals—particularly women and those with long-term health conditions—to build confidence, visibility, and self-advocacy.
Through Ultimate Royal UK, she delivers coaching, mentoring, and speaking that supports both individuals and organisations. Her work focuses on helping organisations move beyond performative inclusion to create meaningful, accessible, and supportive environments that improve wellbeing, retention, and workplace culture.
Adeshola has contributed to national conversations on disability and inclusion, including speaking at NHS events and participating in initiatives such as the NHS Employers Disability Summit and Black Inclusion Week. Her advocacy has also influenced improvements in healthcare approaches, particularly in raising awareness of the need for more inclusive and personalised care for neurodivergent individuals.
Her impact extends beyond advocacy into representation. As the first-ever Ms London City 2025/2026 titleholder, she uses her platform to challenge stereotypes and redefine narratives around leadership, beauty, disability, and age. She has received multiple awards and recognitions, including being a finalist for the UK Top Influencer Awards.
Adeshola’s work has been featured internationally across media platforms, amplifying her voice and message on a global scale. Despite navigating complex health challenges, she continues to lead with resilience, purpose, and authenticity.
As a positive role model, Adeshola inspires others to embrace their identity, use their voice, and recognise their lived experience as a source of strength and leadership. Her work is not only raising awareness but driving meaningful, lasting change.
As a Black woman living with multiple disabilities and neurodivergence, Adeshola brings an authentic and powerful lived experience perspective. She has transformed personal challenges into a platform for advocacy, empowering individuals—particularly women and those with long-term health conditions—to build confidence, visibility, and self-advocacy.
Through Ultimate Royal UK, she delivers coaching, mentoring, and speaking that supports both individuals and organisations. Her work focuses on helping organisations move beyond performative inclusion to create meaningful, accessible, and supportive environments that improve wellbeing, retention, and workplace culture.
Adeshola has contributed to national conversations on disability and inclusion, including speaking at NHS events and participating in initiatives such as the NHS Employers Disability Summit and Black Inclusion Week. Her advocacy has also influenced improvements in healthcare approaches, particularly in raising awareness of the need for more inclusive and personalised care for neurodivergent individuals.
Her impact extends beyond advocacy into representation. As the first-ever Ms London City 2025/2026 titleholder, she uses her platform to challenge stereotypes and redefine narratives around leadership, beauty, disability, and age. She has received multiple awards and recognitions, including being a finalist for the UK Top Influencer Awards.
Adeshola’s work has been featured internationally across media platforms, amplifying her voice and message on a global scale. Despite navigating complex health challenges, she continues to lead with resilience, purpose, and authenticity.
As a positive role model, Adeshola inspires others to embrace their identity, use their voice, and recognise their lived experience as a source of strength and leadership. Her work is not only raising awareness but driving meaningful, lasting change.