Rikki Hicks is a UK-based leadership, wellbeing, and community development practitioner with over three decades of cross-sector experience spanning health, fitness, personal development, social impact, and digital community building.

Trained initially in psychology, sociology, and biology, Rikki built an early career in professional dance and choreography during the rise of the global MTV era, before transitioning into health and therapeutic fitness. He spent over 13 years at the Aspire National Training Centre (Royal Orthopaedic Hospital, Stanmore), progressing from fitness instructor to exercise referral specialist. His work focused on pre- and post-operative clients, people living with long-term medical conditions, disabilities, and vulnerable populations. He also delivered group programmes in partnership with charities including Mind, Mencap, and the Epilepsy Society.

Rikki later founded a community-based therapeutic exercise enterprise, partnering with local borough councils to deliver services across multiple districts. His work demonstrated scalable, community-embedded service models with strong uptake among elderly and marginalised groups.

Alongside his health work, Rikki is a recognised personal development and leadership influencer. He has collaborated with global leadership platforms and served as part of UK facilitation and support teams for internationally recognised figures in personal development. He is the creator of the widely followed “Food for Thought” daily leadership and mindset series, which has grown his digital reach to over 30,000 followers globally on LinkedIn alone.

A committed Pan-Africanist and social impact advocate, Rikki has supported charities, nonprofit initiatives, and diaspora-focused projects across Africa and its global communities. He has consulted for AFRINYPE and YAEP, contributing strategic insight on community engagement, leadership development, and diaspora mobilisation.

Rikki brings to YAEP a rare blend of lived leadership, community credibility, wellbeing expertise, and digital influence.