Ambassador Profile: Kush Kanodia

Dr Kush Kanodia – Visionary Disability Rights and Race Equality Changemaker

Dr Kush Kanodia is a multi-award-winning social entrepreneur and systems leader, widely recognised as one of the UK’s most influential disability and race equality changemakers. His pioneering portfolio spans healthcare, technology, sport, climate justice, and public policy, driving systemic transformation to build a more inclusive, accessible, and equitable society.

Kush creates large-scale impact by reforming structures to benefit millions. He provides strategic guidance to Transport for London, one of the world’s largest urban mobility systems and to the UK Government’s Disability Unit as Vice Chair of the Greater London Regional Stakeholder Network. He sits on the Lived Experience Advisory Board for ParalympicsGB and formerly advised the Global Disability Innovation Hub, the legacy organisation of the London 2012 Paralympic Games. He also serves as a Trustee and Director at AccessibAll and Inclusion London, is a Patron of the English Speaking Board, and an Ambassador for both Disability Rights UK and AbilityNet. Across these roles, Kush ensures that disabled voices are centred in the development of national and international policy.

A landmark moment in his career was leading the #NoWheelchairTax campaign, which successfully abolished disabled car parking charges across all NHS hospitals in England, the largest health system in the world. This reform removed a key barrier to healthcare for over 3 million Blue Badge holders. For this achievement, he was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Science by the University of Kent, who described the win as "by some margin the single largest and most impactful change in the treatment of disabled people in the history of the NHS." It remains the UK’s most significant disability inclusion policy reform of the last decade.

Kush also led a strategic campaign to reform London’s Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ), highlighting eco-ableism and securing exemptions for over 315,000 disabled people. His leadership ensured equitable climate action that did not disproportionately penalise those reliant on cars for mobility. In 2024, the Sheila McKechnie Foundation named him Campaigner of the Year for making ULEZ a model of disability-inclusive environmental policy. These reforms now influence proposed Clean Air Zone policies across England. Mayor of London Sadiq Khan described Kush as "a passionate disability rights champion" who has "made a massive difference to the lives of disabled people in London."

Determined to embed disability inclusion structurally, Kush successfully proposed the creation of a dedicated Disability Champion for London a motion unanimously supported by London Assembly.

In the world of sport, Kush has brought transformative change. As a Trustee of Level Playing Field and AccessibAll, he played a key role in securing the Premier League’s commitment to accessible stadium standards, enhancing matchday experiences for thousands of disabled football fans. He is now leading a global initiative to make cricket in India as accessible as elite football in the UK and Europe.

A former investment banker at HSBC and Morgan Stanley, Kush left the City in 2009 to dedicate himself fully to advancing disability justice. His influence has been widely recognised:

• Torchbearer for the London 2012 Paralympic Games
• Ranked 2nd in the Shaw Trust Disability Power 100
• Named among the Financial Times’ Top 10 BAME (Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic) Tech Leaders
• Recipient of multiple national awards for social entrepreneurship and community impact

Dr Kush Kanodia’s work continues to redefine what inclusion looks like, systematically removing barriers, embedding co-production, shaping policy that creates lasting global change and social impact.

Visit kushkanodia.com to learn more about Dr Kush Kanodia's systems leadership work.