GRIT

MEET YOUR finalists

pAUL mATSON
Hull 4 Heroes

Paul Matson served in the Royal Artillery in the early 1980s, an experience that deeply influenced his commitment to supporting veterans. Drawing on his military background and expertise in construction, Paul founded Hull 4 Heroes alongside two of the current Trustees.

Together, they have built a dedicated team of tireless individuals who work passionately to create the veterans support network they originally envisioned. Under Paul's leadership, Hull 4 Heroes continues to provide essential services and support to those who have served our country, ensuring they receive the care and opportunities they deserve. Very soon he and his team will create the worlds first transitional veteran’s village here in the City of Hull.

James Halls
Open Source Healing Initiative

James Halls is a transformative figure in healthcare reform and recovery advocacy, leading the Open-Source Healing Initiative (OSHI) with a visionary zeal. Dedicated to reshaping healthcare, particularly in addiction recovery and mental health, James combines compassion with innovation. OSHI aims to relieve systemic pressures in healthcare through human generosity and experience and has grown from 1 to 50 team members in 2 short years.

As a passionate disruptor, James challenges stigmas around addiction & mental health, advocating for peer-led, heart-centered approaches supported by professional expertise and technology. His personal experiences combined with professional background adds a pragmatic edge to his idealism, ensuring effective advocacy through deep systemic understanding.

With a broad range of interactions—from the unhoused to royalty—James brings empathy and insight to his leadership, driving impactful, human-centric initiatives. He champions decentralised, community-led efforts, believing change starts at the local level. Beyond work, James enjoys Star Wars, nature, and a curious fondness for lemons, finding true fulfilment in empowering others professionally and personally.

In a world often clouded by inefficiencies, James Halls & OSHI stand as a beacon for progressive change, actively crafting a better future—one community, initiative, and life at a time.

Vicki Miller
MS3 Network

I am Vicki Miller, a dedicated and accomplished Senior Project Manager at MS3, a leading telecommunications company based in Hull. With a career marked by unwavering commitment to excellence and resilience, I have transitioned from 25 years of distinguished military service to a successful civilian career.

Throughout my military career, I managed numerous high-stake projects and led diverse teams with precision and effectiveness, demonstrating exceptional grit and leadership, often in austere and high-pressure environments, these include deployments to Afghanistan, Iraq, Bosnia and Oman. I have transferred these skills into my role at MS3, In my current role at

MS3, I lead full fibre delivery projects providing top-tier telecommunications services which gives back to the Hull community. Doing this ensures that the people of Hull have an alternative choice for their internet provider, promoting competition and improving service quality, making a tangible difference in the lives of Hull’s residents.

I am honoured to have been recognised and nominated by my colleagues, and to have reached the final and been shortlisted for the prestigious girt award.