The 16th annual Disabled Entrepreneur Awards, established to recognise the exceptional achievements of disabled business owners in the UK, were announced by Sir Stelios.
This year’s competition awarded a total of £200,000 to three outstanding entrepreneurs. The top prize of £100,000 was awarded to Cedric Bloch, CEO of Brigit’s Bakery. Despite a spinal injury in 2021 that rendered him paralysed from the chest down, Bloch has continued to grow his business, known for its renowned afternoon tea London sightseeing bus tours and Covent Garden bakery. He has introduced the first wheelchair-friendly sightseeing bus and plans to use the prize money to enhance experiences for disabled individuals, including creating the first electric-powered 1960s Routemaster bus. Bloch expressed his gratitude, stating, “I feel truly blessed to win this award. Being disabled, we are used to dealing with challenges and difficulties. This prize will help me future-proof the business, solidifying the company’s position and guaranteeing jobs for the long term.”
Second place, with a prize of £60,000, was awarded to Amelia Peckham, the founder of Cool Crutches. Following a quad bike accident in 2005 that left her dependent on mobility aids, Peckham and her mother developed a line of comfortable, colourful, and customisable crutches and walking sticks. She aims to use the prize money to expand into new markets and make their products more accessible. Peckham highlighted the significance of the recognition: “To win this award is a serious career highlight. These awards celebrate all the incredible value disabled people bring to business and challenge outdated stigmas in the best way.”
Debra Cartlidge, the third prize winner, received £40,000 for her contributions through the School of Sign Language & The White House Deaf Specialist. Despite being told she would never amount to anything, Cartlidge learnt sign language, pursued education, and established a business whilst raising a family. Her school supports the deaf community, and she plans to use the prize funds to develop a Deaf College for post-16 education. Cartlidge shared her mission: “Winning this award is not just a personal achievement, but also a testament to the incredible journey my amazing staff team have been on together! We will continue to inspire and empower others to believe in their dreams and strive for a more inclusive future.”
Since its inception in 2006, the Disabled Entrepreneur Awards have distributed a total of £1,500,000 to celebrate the outstanding accomplishments of disabled entrepreneurs. Sir Stelios, the founder of the easy family of brands, remarked, “We’re proud to honour Cedric, Amelia, and Debra today. These are three stand-out examples of how disabled entrepreneurs are blazing the trail for others and inspiring more disabled people to start their own businesses.” Additionally, £20,000 was donated by the Stelios Philanthropic Foundation to Leonard Cheshire to support the administration of this year’s awards.
Ruth Owen, Chief Executive of Leonard Cheshire, commented on the calibre of this year’s applicants: “We are committed to making sure that we not only recognise but celebrate the voices and achievements of disabled individuals. This year’s applicants have shown remarkable business skills and unwavering resilience, reflecting a thriving community of disabled entrepreneurs in the UK.”
The Disabled Entrepreneur Awards highlight the resilience, innovation, and excellence of disabled business owners in the UK. By showcasing their achievements, the awards aim to inspire more disabled individuals to pursue entrepreneurship and contribute significantly to the business landscape.
