DISABLED ENTREPRENEURS UK

Stelios Awards for Disabled Entrepreneurs inviting applications for 2023
Leading disability charity Leonard Cheshire and Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou, creator and owner of the easy family of brands including easyJet (see www.easyHistory.info) and founder and president of the Stelios Philanthropic Foundation, are proud to launch The Stelios Awards for Disabled in the UK 2023.

The Awards offer one of the largest financial prizes for disabled entrepreneurs in the UK. A top prize of £50,000, and two finalist prizes of £30,000 and £20,000 are up for grabs for this year’s winners, offering £100,000 in cash in total for 2023.

Since the awards started in 2006 a grand total of over £1.3million (including this year’s sum), has been donated by Sir Stelios and his foundation to disabled entrepreneurs and Leonard Cheshire, giving them an opportunity to showcase their talents.  Jointly run by the Stelios Philanthropic Foundation and Leonard Cheshire since 2006, the Stelios Awards for Disabled Entrepreneurs UK recognise the exceptional achievements of disabled entrepreneurs who have set up their own company and excel in their chosen business field, catering to customers right across the country, irrespective of ability.

In recent years, these awards have been won by entrepreneurs in charge of businesses ranging from Christmas tree farming to conservatory design & build to the development of mental health apps.

Sir Stelios said: “Sadly, despite all efforts, there remains considerable obstacles to disabled people finding full-time salaried employment. And I have long held the view that the best way for a disabled person to get such a job is to start their own business and be their own boss! We are awarding excellence in business.”

“I hope that cash rewards for those who have started their own business will mean more disabled people doing just that…so creating wealth for themselves, their families, staff and suppliers.”

Applications are open from today, Monday 27 February 2023, and close at 5pm on Friday 14 April 2023. The overall winner will receive their grand prize of £50,000 at an online Awards ceremony via zoom on Thursday 18 May 1pm-2pm British Summer Time. Two runners up will receive prizes of £30,000 and £20,000.

Entrepreneurs will be eligible to apply if:
1) They are registered disabled in the UK.
2) They own at least 50% of a UK registered for-profit company that has filed accounts with UK Companies House showing a turnover (Revenues) in one year of at least £5,000.

The Stelios Philanthropic Foundation is also donating £20,000 to Leonard Cheshire directly to help with the running of this year’s awards.

Ruth Owen Chief Executive of Leonard Cheshire, said: “We are really pleased to be working with Sir Stelios again on these important awards. Every year it is fantastic to see the wide array of entries and these awards provide a great opportunity for disabled entrepreneurs to network, build on and promote their businesses. There’s so much untapped disabled talent out there and I’m looking forward to seeing this year’s entries.”

Amongst many worthy previous winners Sir Stelios would like to mention Amar Latif,  founder of www.Traveleyes-international and broadcaster on BBC and CH4, Josh Wintersgill of www.easyTravelseat, Steve Holyer of www.Accessibility.com, Mark Williams of www.limb-art.com, 2019 winner Victoria Nelson founder www.deaf4deaf.com and last year’s winner Joe Waggott of www.metalpolishingsupplies.co.uk.

For full details on eligibility go to leonardcheshire.org/stelios .

APPLICATION FORM Stelios Awards for Disabled Entrepreneurs in the UK 2023 in partnership with Leonard Cheshire as of 22 Feb 2023

If you have any questions about your eligibility email at: SteliosAward@leonardcheshire.org.

All completed application forms should be emailed to tracy.ghori@stelios.com not later than Friday 14 April 2023 at 5.00pm.

ENDS

For media enquiries please contact Erin O’Reilly, Communications Manager, Leonard Cheshire by email on erin.o’reilly@leonardcheshire.org or 020 3242 0342 or Richard Shackleton, Communications Director for Sir Stelios, by email on richard.shackleton@easy.com or phone on 07905 779 799.

Notes for Editors
• We are Leonard Cheshire – supporting individuals to live, learn and work as independently as they choose, whatever their ability. Led by people with experience of disability, we open doors to opportunity, choice and support for disabled people across the UK . Visit: www.leonardcheshire.org or follow us on twitter: @leonardcheshire
• The Stelios Philanthropic Foundation is a registered charity in the UK which backs a number of charitable initiatives in the UK, Greece, Cyprus and Monaco. The Foundation gives support in four main areas: scholarships, supporting entrepreneurship with cash prizes, donating money to environmental and other charities and operating a poverty relief programme in Greece and Cyprus – “Food from the Heart”.