Attitude is Everything founder to depart after 25 years

Attitude is Everything (AIE) founder Suzanne Bull MBE will depart the UK-based disability music charity after 25 years.

Bull will step down from her position at the end of March to pursue new projects across the arts, culture and breast cancer advocacy. AIE, founded in 2000, works to connect disabled people with the live and event industries and to improve access together.

“As many of you will be aware, I live with a cancer diagnosis as well as being disabled,” she says. “In March 2025, I’ll be halfway through my treatment, so this seems like a good point for me to live life at a slower pace and have the opportunity to pursue my other interests.”

“It’s been a privilege to have been part of a team that makes real change, and I hope that I’ve contributed to making disabled people’s lives more bearable through music.

“This decision hasn’t been easy, because working at Attitude is Everything is my dream job. But although I’m sad to be leaving, I know that the organisation will continue to thrive for many years to come, until one day, we’ll be able to say that there are no barriers to disabled people going to, performing or volunteering at, or working in live events.”

Paul Hawkins, AIE’s head of skills development, will step in as interim managing director until a new CEO is installed.

“The company is in a very strong position to move forward”

Managing director Celia Makin-Bell is also set to leave the charity in mid-January to take up a new position.

Since joining in July 2021, Makin-Bell is said to have played a crucial role in the team’s stability, doubling turnover since the COVID-19 pandemic, increasing staff, and attracting new investment from sources including Arts Council England.

“I am sad to be leaving Attitude is Everything, but I’m incredibly proud of all that we’ve achieved over the last few years. The company is in a very strong position to move forward, and to continue delivering the kinds of impactful change that is still so vitally needed,” Makin-Bell says.

“I have greatly enjoyed working with Suzanne and have learnt so much from her, as well as having a lot of fun! I think our experience of co-leadership shows how different strengths, personal qualities and experiences can come together in a really positive way.”

Jacqui Adeniji-Williams, AIE co-chair, says the reshuffling signals a new phase for the charity.

“Perhaps the greatest testament to Suzanne and Celia is how they’ve built such a resilient and robust organisation, and one which is well placed to support even more people and remove even more barriers. Going forward we are now fully focussed on finding a new leader with the skill set and ambition to deliver on those aspirations.”

In recent years, AIE has delivered a series of ‘sobering’ reports detailing the state of the UK music experience for artists, fans, and professionals alike.

In September, the charity detailed the systemic barriers disabled UK musicians face; in June 2023, AIE joined with Black Lives In Music to assess the roadblocks Black disabled music creators and professionals face.

AIE also launched the Live Events Access Charter to encourage event organisers to build disability equality into all aspects of their venue or event and to make improvements in response to feedback from Deaf, disabled and neurodivergent people. A new charter is due to be launched next month.

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