Former RAF leader brings Invictus Games vision to Birmingham
Vicky Gosling OBE, chair of the Invictus Games Birmingham 2027, got the inaugural West Midlands Life Sciences Week off to an inspiring start yesterday.
In her keynote speech at Millennium Point, Birmingham, the former RAF Group Captain touched on themes incuding resilience, leadership and recovery, drawing on her military career and her role in veterans’ sport.
Her address explored how lessons from elite sport and rehabilitation can inspire breakthroughs in health innovation – a central focus of the life sciences sector.
Linking health, sport and recovery
Gosling is no stranger to major platforms. She is Chief Executive of GB Snowsport, a Non-Executive Director of the British Paralympic Association, and a longstanding supporter of the Invictus Games movement, which celebrates the power of sport in the recovery of wounded, injured and sick servicemen and women.
She said the West Midlands was ideally placed to lead in both health innovation and community impact.
“The Invictus Games show how determination and rehabilitation can change lives. Life Sciences Week is about applying that same spirit to healthcare and research,” she said.
Spotlight on Birmingham 2027
Her speech also gave a glimpse into preparations for the Invictus Games Birmingham 2027, the first time the international adaptive sports competition will be staged in the city. The Games are expected to bring thousands of competitors, families and spectators, while creating long-term benefits for veterans and local communities. She emphasised how sport, health and innovation can intersect to improve outcomes for individuals and society.
In the audience for Gosling’s address was ex-soldier triple amputee Dave Watson, 38, who said: “It was great to hear Vicky speak. I’m living proof of what sport can do for wounded veterans both from a physical and mental perspective.”
Dave, a father of two from Romsley, Worcs, won shot put and discus gold at the 2018 Invictus Games in Sydney. He has recently come out of retirement to train for the Birmingham Games in 2027.
After losing three limbs in Helmund, Afghanistan, in 2010, Dave went through a period of depression, resorting to drink and drugs, before finding new purpose in sport. read his full story here.
Regional pride
West Midlands Life Sciences Week brings together researchers, businesses, and policymakers to showcase the region’s strengths in healthcare innovation. By featuring Gosling, organisers hope to underline Birmingham’s growing reputation as both a hub for global sporting events and a centre of excellence for life sciences.
Her appearance is expected to be one of the highlights of the week-long programme, setting the tone for discussions on how resilience and innovation can shape the future of healthcare.
