Three inspiring disabled entrepreneurs have been awarded a collective £300,000 by easyJet founder Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou in the 17th annual Stelios Awards for Disabled Entrepreneurs. This initiative celebrates innovation, resilience, and impact within the UK business sector.
The top award of £150,000 went to Umbreen David, founder of Hoama Group Ltd and owner of Iden Manor Nursing Home in Kent. Her efforts to redefine compassionate care, shaped by her own experiences with muscular dystrophy and hearing loss, have turned the home into a model of inclusive and dignified elderly care. She plans to invest in accessibility enhancements, leadership development, and establish a mentorship platform for disabled entrepreneurs within the care sector.
Michelle Phillips, who secured second place with a £100,000 award, is the creative force behind Edinburgh’s beloved Mimi’s Bakehouse. After being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis post-launch, Michelle has expanded Mimi’s into a renowned bakery brand with five shops, two concessions, and a thriving online delivery service. She intends to utilise the prize to revamp the website, expand the product line, and explore export opportunities.
Paul Woods, founder of Proactive Despatch, won the £50,000 third prize. Living with cerebral palsy, Paul channelled his experiences of being underestimated into establishing a courier business known for reliable, values-driven service in the Northwest. He plans to use the prize funds to enhance his sales team and extend the company’s reach.
This year’s awards, hosted at the Stelios Foundation headquarters in South Kensington, attracted a record 125 applicants, the highest number in the initiative’s 17-year history. Since 2007, the Stelios Philanthropic Foundation, in collaboration with disability charity Leonard Cheshire, has awarded over £1.7 million to disabled entrepreneurs in the UK.
Sir Stelios remarked, “We know how difficult it can be for disabled people to secure employment. That is why I have always believed their best option is to become their own boss. This year’s winners are paving the way for others—creating businesses that generate jobs, offer value, and demonstrate that disability is no obstacle to success.”
The awards serve not just as financial grants but as endorsements of individuals overcoming social and systemic challenges to lead successful enterprises. With support from Leonard Cheshire and private philanthropy, the awards continually highlight a new wave of leaders revolutionising what is achievable in British business.
