After 25 years of groundbreaking work on behalf of Deaf, disabled, and neurodivergent people in music, Suzanne Bull MBE will pursue new adventures in arts, culture and Breast Cancer Advocacy.
“Suzanne has torn up the music industry and transformed the landscape for disabled musicians and audiences. Solid proof that a life of passion and resolve can truly shape the world. I’m truly excited to find out what this great pioneering spirit will do next!”
Maria Oshodi
Suzanne founded Attitude is Everything in 2000. In the past 25 years, she has supported the charity in expanding its staff team, widening its networks, and developing a range of innovative services and initiatives to promote greater inclusivity.
“What I have always loved about Suzanne is her determination to overcome (or completely ignore) any barriers placed in her path.”
Grae Wall
Notable among these services is the Live Events Access Charter, a ground-breaking platform and guided process that encourages event organisers to build disability equality into all aspects of their venue or event, and to make improvements in response to feedback from Deaf, disabled and neurodivergent people. We recently relaunched the Live Events Access Charter at a celebratory event in February 2025 – also marking the charity’s 25th anniversary. The revamped Charter now operates as a comprehensive and dynamic online learning platform, offering Charter members access to user-friendly and accessible resources, templates and guidance.
Paul Bonham, former Attitude is Everything employee, trustee and current Professional Development Director at MMF says, “Through her unwavering commitment to highlighting disability issues, she has not only catalysed change but also rallied any army of voices to give impact.”
“Suzanne has been such an advocate for human rights, disability rights and all things EDI for as long as I know. Her passion, perseverance and undiluted, unwavering commitment to this work is unmatched,” says Ammo Talwar MBE, Chair of the UK Music Diversity Taskforce.
From 2000 to 2008, Attitude is Everything existed on year-to-year funding. It was only in 2008 that the organisation received charitable status and its first-ever Arts Council England funding. This regular and longer-term funding was transformational.
Speaking on the early days of the charity, Carl Loben, Editor-in-Chief at DJ Mag says, “I remember clearly when she was setting up Attitude is Everything just before the millennium, and how she’d say things like, ‘I’m just going to phone up [legendary music promoter] Vince Power and tell him he has to do something about access.’ Suzanne was fearless in her work, because she knew all along, she was on the side of righteousness.”
Former chair of the Attitude is Everything board of trustees, Del Garland says, “Considering the challenges, both personal and professional, Suzanne is one of the most inspirational people that I have ever met.”
On a personal level, Suzanne has been widely recognised for her advocacy and campaigning and was awarded an MBE in 2013 for services to music, art and disabled people. Suzanne has guided many individuals throughout her journey of inclusivity including Troi Lee, who says, “Suzanne has been an instrumental figure during my Deaf Rave journey. Not only was she an invaluable ally, but she was also magical, and a true giant of our d/Deaf and Disabled communities.”
Louise Rutkowski shares, “Personally, Suzanne really brought home to me the importance of telling people what you need as a disabled person, but helping to enable that, not just criticising. This, I believe, was her masterstroke and what has made Attitude is Everything what it is today.”
In this upcoming chapter, Suzanne will be joining the Independent Venue Community as trustee. Sybil Bell, founder of Independent Venue Week and CIO of Independent Venue Community says, “Suzanne has been absolutely pivotal in our work, both with Independent Venue Week (IVW) and Independent Venue Community (IVC). We’re incredibly proud that she will now bring her inimitable skills, tenacity and mischievous sense of humour to Independent Venue Community as a Trustee as she embarks on her new journey.”
Attitude is Everything will be in safe hands after Suzanne’s departure. The team wishes Suzanne all the best in her new adventure. They say, “The dynamic and determined team that you have helped to shape will be working hard to continue your legacy.”
