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About Heather

Heather has had an unusual life of extraordinary circumstances

Heather has an innate ability to overcome adversity and meet life’s challenges head-on. She advocates that life is about not being afraid to upset the status quo, and that, regardless of circumstance, that everyone has the capacity to succeed in their own personal goals through manifestation and dogged commitment.

These attributes were solidified during a difficult and unstable childhood, which she has channeled into positive action and advocacy.

Founder of VBites, Be At One Beaut, and V Omega-3 – pioneering vegan businesses

Owner of Alternative Stores – an online vegan and plant-based retailer, a champion for independent businesses

Author – of multiple books, including A Single Step: A Memoir, Life Balance and Love Bites Book.

History

History

History

History

History

History

History

History

History

Heather's Life

Heather was born in Aldershot, UK, and raised in Newcastle in a working-class family. An abusive father and an oppressed mother influenced Heather to do her best to take care of her siblings and foster the resolve to forge her own path in life.

Start in life

Heather was born on 12th January 1968.
1968

Setting out on life’s journey

After leaving home at the age of 14 and living under Waterloo Arches, Heather’s first job was in a croissant shop. Although she was sacked after 2 days for eating too many croissants, this was the start of her entrepreneurial journey and led to her commencing her business career in 1986.
1986

Ground-breaking business

Heather successfully built and sold 3 businesses by the age of 20, importing ladies' undergarments, and then moved on to be the first ever UK distributor of frozen yogurt.
1988

The Balkan Crisis

In 1990,Heather moved to the former Yugoslavia, now Slovenia and became involved in the Balkan Crisis. She set up a refugee crisis centre in London, funded from the sale of all of her UK businesses. From here, Heather started her career in Charity and Campaigning.
1990

Modelling

Heather began her career as a model when she was entered into the Miss Cinzano of the year competition in 1991 by a friend. Frustrated by how models were treated, Heather went on to open her own agency, Exsell Model Management, which was famed for championing ‘alternative’ sized models’ rights.
1991

Life Changing Accident

In 1993, returning from the Balkan Crisis in Yugoslavia to advise the shadow defence secretary, Heather was involved in a road traffic accident in the UK involving a police motorcycle. The collision resulted in a fractured skull, crushed pelvis and ribs, a punctured lung, and the loss of her lower leg.
1993

Mainstream Media

In 1993, Heather’s career started in television, counselling, public Speaking, animal advocacy, and prosthetic development.
1994

Heather launches the single VOICE at the iMAX in London

Reached #14 in the indie charts) to raise awareness about disability
1999

Adopt a Minefield campaign

Largest landmine clearing of 21 million square meters of landfill, benefiting 400,000 amputees.
2002

Introduced a full plant-based replication of McDonald’s products to the Chicago head office

The first-ever vegan fast-food range.
2004

EU dog and cat fur campaigns

Heather created the first EU international ban on dog and cat fur
2006

Dancing with the Stars, The Jump and Dancing on Ice

Heather showcased that people with disabilities have no limitations including the use of a prosthetic skating leg.
2007

Pioneering Vegan Food

In 2008, Heather created VBites,the first vegan cafe in Brighton, she utilised data feedback from customers to expand her range in her international, award winning, plant based, ethical food company.
2008

Guinness World Record
Professional Ski Racer

In 2010, Heather began her professional career in Alpine Ski Racing, after inadvertently stumbling into the Austrian ski team's olympic practice session! She went on to join the British Disabled Ski team, winning numerous accolades.
2010

George Best Tribute

Heather created the George Best Tribute to raise funds for the Donor Family Network charity. It reached #1 in 10 countries.
2010

Heather began learning to ski race at age 42.

2011

Professional Ski Racing

In 2015, she became the fastest disabled women on the Planet, by Speed Skiing her way into the record books at a speed of 166.84kph. This was officially recognised in 2023 by The Guinness World Book of Records. Heather also won numerous medals, including X4 gold medals at the skiing world championships.
2015

Passionate about sustainability

In 2016, Heather continued her work as an international spokesperson for climate change.
2015

Vegan Ambassador

Heather has gone on to be a global ambassador in the business sector, creating a vegan makeup range, a vegan algal oil range acceleration an online ethical vegan store, having a huge voice on the International commercial stage covering subjects such as e-commerce, agriculture, national health, disability issues, and turning tragedy into positivity
Discover Heather's Brands
2016>

Won the biggest media case against phone hacking

Heather received the largest libel settlement against news group, for years of abuse, because of her fighting for justice to expose computer and phone hacking
2019

Expanded manufacturing of vegan products to create the largest manufacturing sites in Europe

2020
Today

Charity, Business, Public Speaking, Media

Awards

Awards

Awards

Awards

Awards

Awards

Awards

Awards

Awards

Awards presented to Heather Mills

When a police motorcycle collided with Heather, resulting in the loss of her left leg below the knee at the age of 25, she inspired people with her resilience and commitment to carry on with dogged determination.

The public were mesmerised by this story of perseverance, and Heather received her first award in 1995, The People’s Courage and Determination Award, presented by Lloyd Grossman. Since then, Heather has gone on to receive many accolades.

2020s

Global Stratalogues UK
Bringing awareness for accessibility and inclusion for all in the world

2025

Haute Couture Austrian Icon Award presented by the Heidi Horton Museum Collection
International Icon of the Year, for supporting start-ups in all areas of sustainable businesses

Madonna 100 Award 100 most influential people celebrating International Women’s Day, Austria
Madonna magazine celebrated numerous women with outstanding achievements just before International Women’s Day.

Woman of the Year Vegan Summit Los Angeles, presented by Jennifer Stojkovic, USA
Fighting adversity against all odds, an embodiment of resilience and determination

2024

Guinness World Records Entry
Fastest and first disabled woman in the world to set a speed ski record at 166.84 km/h

View Guinness World Records

2023

Gulfood award
Presented by Cihan University- Erbil, to Heather (VBites) for spreading awareness around the World

2020

Power Brands Hall of Fame Award UK
Guest of honour and inductee for entrepreneurial achievements, charity work, and other accomplishments. 

European Services to Diversity Award Brussels
Recognising dedication to furthering diversity in the media and other areas. 

2019

Easter Seals Outstanding Citizens Award
Presented to Heather for her outstanding dedication and work for Easter Seals.

2015

Easter Seals Lilli and Allan Shedlin Award New York USA
Uncompromising commitment to help others from the USA’s biggest and longest running disabled charity.

Compassionate Visionary Award UK
Outstanding work on behalf of farmed animals.

2010

VegNews Person of the Year UK
Voted most successful vegan businesswoman, animal rights activist and entrepreneur.

2009

Animal Activist of the Year presented by Farm Sanctuary New York USA
Voted for commanding leadership, advocacy and passionate commitment to animal liberation and to combat issues associated with factory farming.

2008

Vegan Society Achievement Awards UK
Voted the people’s favourite vegan.

2007

PETA, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals USA
Animal Humanitarian Award presented in Hollywood Los Angeles

2005

UCI University of California Irvine Fellowship Award in Human Security presented by Richard Matthews USA
Work with landmines and announcement of the Heather Mills Fellowship Award.

Champion of Health Award USA Presented by Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO).
Heather named the Champion for her awareness to World Health Day – Global Road Safety campaign.

Inaugural UNESCO Children In Need Award Dusseldorf
Commitment to banishment of landmines and working with victims of war.

2004

Melvin Jones Fellowship Lion Award Illinois USA
Acknowledgement of work with war victims, raising funds and awareness to rid world of landmines.

Open University Sesame Honorary Graduate Doctorate UK
The Open University awards honorary degrees to individuals who have made outstanding achievements and whose work aligned with the University’s values. With the two types being Doctor of the University (DUniv) and Master of the University (MUniv). The “Sesame” magazine, the OU students’ newspaper, was founded in 1973 and announced the foundation of the OU Students Association.

2003

Croatian Government Humanitarian Award presented by the Croatian Prime Minister, Ivica Racan Croatia
Contribution to the improvement of the quality of living for people with physical disabilities, particularly children and war victims and mine clearance of mine filled land.

2001

Heart of the World Award Adopt A Minefield
Extensive landmine clearance across the globe

Secret Woman’s Award presented by Cosmopolitan at Park Lane London UK
Presented to Heather Mills and Helen Smith both amputees, after being named joint overall winners London’s Park Lane.

2000

Queen Elizabeth Foundation for Disabled People
Ease Award presented by the Minister of Employment Andrew Smith UK

1997

Nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize UK
Outstanding work with landmines and amputees.

Human Achievement Award by The Times UK
Outstanding charity work.

Gold Award awarded by the Daily Star and presented by John Major at 10 Downing Street UK
Outstanding achievement.

Outstanding Young Person of the Year awarded and presented by The British Chamber of Commerce UK
Awards Overcoming adversity.

1996

Evian Health Awards presented by Lloyd Grossman UK
People’s Award for courage and determination in over coming the tragedy of having her leg amputated.

Human Achievement Award by The Times UK
Outstanding charity work.

Gold Award awarded by the Daily Star and presented by John Major at 10 Downing Street UK
Outstanding achievement.

Outstanding Young Person of the Year awarded and presented by The British Chamber of Commerce UK
Awards Overcoming adversity.

1995

Television & Media

Business & Brands

Charity,