Nicky West of NEW Options Wins Inspirational Woman of the Year 2026
Nicky West, Founder of NEW Options and Speech and Language Therapy Specialist, has been awarded Inspirational Woman of the Year 2026 for Excellence in Speech and Language Therapy, recognising her outstanding leadership, innovation, and commitment to improving communication outcomes for children, families, and communities.
Nicky’s journey into speech and language therapy was shaped by a deeply personal influence. Her father, who lives with a stammer, gave her early insight into both the challenges and resilience associated with communication differences. Although she initially trained in graphic design, she soon realised she wanted a career with greater purpose. Speech and language therapy offered the ideal balance of teaching and care, becoming what she describes as a true vocation.
After completing her BSc, Nicky began her career in the NHS, building strong clinical foundations. However, she became increasingly frustrated with systems that often placed bureaucracy ahead of patient-centred care. When her twins were just one year old, she made the bold decision to establish NEW Options as a sole trader, combining her professional expertise with a clear vision for change.
What started as a one-person operation has grown organically into a team of 11 professionals, now delivering long-term services to over 30 schools across three regions. Recently celebrating 12 years of service, NEW Options has expanded in response to genuine community needs, maintaining a strong focus on accessibility, impact, and quality rather than rapid commercial growth.
Reflecting on her journey, Nicky shared, “What really drives everything is a genuine desire to make lasting differences in children’s lives, combined with the courage to challenge how services are traditionally delivered.”
The organisation’s success is built on measurable impact and innovation. From the outset, NEW Options embedded social enterprise principles, committing to 100 hours of free training for parents, teachers, and professionals. This approach has strengthened partnerships while positioning the organisation as a thought leader in the sector. Initiatives such as Merch with Meaning generate sustainable funding for charitable work, while pop-up clinics bring therapy directly into communities, removing barriers to access.
Behind this success lies resilience and determination. Operating within a sector facing significant staffing shortages, Nicky has navigated recruitment challenges while continuing to lead service delivery, manage operations, and balance family life. She openly acknowledges the emotional realities of entrepreneurship, including exhaustion, imposter syndrome, and the pressures of leadership.
Despite these challenges, she remains driven by the real-world impact of her work. From children achieving communication breakthroughs to families gaining the support they need, these moments define the purpose behind NEW Options.
Nicky is passionate about empowering others and encourages women pursuing similar paths to recognise their value and build sustainable business foundations. She believes success should enhance social impact, not replace it, and advocates for embedding purpose into every aspect of business.
One of the most rewarding elements of her work is training parents and teachers, enabling them to create immediate, positive change using practical strategies. However, her greatest fulfilment comes from the children themselves, whether hearing a child say their name clearly for the first time or supporting their very first words.
Looking ahead, Nicky is focused on scaling impact while maintaining quality. Plans include expanding the Merch with Meaning range, growing the pop-up clinic network, and launching corporate partnerships to fund therapy for families who may otherwise be unable to access support. An innovative education provision for children aged 3 to 7 with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities is also set to launch, focusing on communication, interaction, and school readiness.
Winning Inspirational Woman of the Year 2026 marks a significant milestone, validating the work of Nicky and her team while strengthening the organisation’s credibility. It also supports her wider mission to advocate for speech and language therapy and demonstrate that businesses can successfully combine commercial growth with meaningful social impact.
Through her leadership, compassion, and innovation, Nicky West continues to transform lives, empower communities, and ensure more children find their voices.
Contact NEW Options
Email: hello@new-options.co.uk
Telephone: 07969 970501
Website: https://www.new-options.co.uk