Abigail Lock

Abigail Lock joined Back Up as Chief Executive in January 2020. She leads with ambition, values and a constant drive to do better for people affected by spinal cord injury. Since then, Back Up has experienced one of its most significant periods of growth, change and impact in its 40-year history.

Under her leadership, Back Up has grown from £1.6 million p.a. supporting 1,658 people to a £3.7 million national organisation supporting 2,789 people with services accessed 51,418 times. The team has grown from 32 largely London-based staff to 76 people working around the UK.

In the past year Abigail has led the rollout of Back Up’s 2030 strategy, Limitless Ambition, and has created the conditions to deliver major transformation programmes for the charity’s future, including; refreshing the brand, and messaging to reach even more people, rolling out systems transformation, and achieving Disability Confident Leader status.

Abigail also created Back Up’s Future Trustee Programme, supporting people with spinal cord injury, from Black and minority ethnic backgrounds and younger people, to become charity trustees.

Her leadership balances running a strong, sustainable organisation with innovation, creativity and a willingness to do things differently. Open about her experiences as a young carer, Abigail has encouraged a culture where lived experience is valued as expertise and difference is seen as strength.

Through clear strategy, inclusive leadership and a relentless focus on delivering for people affected by spinal cord injury, Abigail has made Back Up stronger, more national and better equipped for the future.