Yusuf Ciftci

Yusuf Ciftci is a refugee advocate and changemaker dedicated to unlocking the leadership potential of people with lived experience of displacement. Arriving in the UK in 2014, Yusuf navigated the asylum system while completing his PhD, rebuilding his life with resilience, purpose, and a commitment to changing the system from within. He has held key roles at organisations such as the British Red Cross and Doctors of the World, where he championed co-production, refugee involvement, and inclusive policy-making. His work is grounded in the belief that people with lived experience should not only be included but empowered to lead. As the founder of the Experts by Experience (EbE) Employment Network, Yusuf works to dismantle the hidden barriers refugees face in the workplace, advocating for equitable recruitment and leadership pathways. Yusuf is a co-chair at City of Sanctuary UK board and now he serves as Head of Refugee Involvement at the Refugee Council, leading on strategies that enable meaningful land purposeful refugee involvement across all teams.