Katy Talikowska has been appointed as the new CEO of the Valuable 500, succeeding Joanne Pritchard.
Talikowska will lead the global business collective’s mission to make disability inclusion a strategic priority for companies worldwide, with Gitika Kalra joining the executive team as director of operations and delivery after successfully implementing complex transformation programmes within the UK and Asia markets.
The Valuable 500 is the global business partnership of 500 companies working together to end disability exclusion. Talikowska will oversee an ambitious strategic growth phase until the end of 2025, reporting to Paul Polman and Jeff Dodds jointly as chairs of the company and advisory board.
Caroline Casey, founder of the Valuable 500, will continue to play a vital role for the organisation as director, providing ongoing insights, guidance, and expertise.
Talikowska began her journey with the Valuable 500 in 2019 when she partnered with Casey to launch the initiative at the World Economic Forum in Davos.
The organisation’s Valuable 500 Accountability Summit in Tokyo 2025 will see its 500 member companies invited to report on their progress against three ‘Synchronised Collective Actions’: Leadership, Reporting and Representation.
Before her appointment, Talikowska worked at advertising agency AMV BBDO, playing a key role in the ground-breaking 2016 Maltesers Disability campaign, which garnered prestigious awards and became Maltesers’ most successful campaign in 18 years. She serves as a leadership mentor for Disability Rights UK.
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“As the new CEO of the Valuable 500, I am excited to lead the change, drive our mission of the 3 Synchronised Collective Actions, and help end disability exclusion,” said Talikowska.
“It is crucial that businesses recognise disability inclusion not only as a moral imperative but as a strategic priority. Considering today’s competitive market, inclusion is a critical commercial advantage.
“It is not only about embracing diversity for diversity’s sake but about the value of recognising people with disabilities as consumers and, especially within the workplace, as employees. I am committed to driving tangible change towards a business world that recognises disability in its entirety.”
Casey added: “Katy’s dedication to disability inclusion is undeniable. She has shown commitment to the Valuable 500 since its inception, and I am confident that under her guidance, the organisation will continue to make significant progress in accelerating disability inclusion through business.
“Phase 1, we achieved 500 CEO-backed board-level commitments as we broke the global CEO silence on disability in business and we positioned disability on the global BUSINESS leadership agenda.
“I look forward to working closely with Katy and truly believe in her leadership for the Valuable 500 and its next growth phase.”