Credit: bmmagazine.co.uk
Organisations and individuals working to remove barriers and improve the lives of disabled people were honoured last night at the Business Disability Forum’s Disability Smart Awards 2025 in London.
Now in its 11th year, the event was sponsored by global law firm Freshfields and co-hosted by Business Disability Forum ambassador and broadcaster Simon Minty.
The awards, which recognise achievements across sectors and organisations of all sizes, highlighted innovative projects in accessible design, inclusive recruitment, customer experience, and technology. This year’s event also marked 30 years since the Disability Discrimination Act and 15 years since the Equality Act came into force.
Diane Lightfoot, CEO of Business Disability Forum, said: “Although we have a long way to go to be a truly inclusive global society, our Disability Smart Award winners and finalists show how innovation around disability inclusion can drive positive change for everyone. A fear of getting it wrong is often one of the biggest barriers—but our winner stories demonstrate what can be achieved when organisations make disability inclusion a priority.”
2025 Disability Smart Award Winners:
Disability Smart Leader Award – Georgina Colman, Purpl Discounts, for launching the UK’s first disabled discount platform.
Diversity and Inclusion Professional – Neil Eustice, KPMG UK, for decades of accessibility leadership.
Accessible Built Environment – RNIB, for pioneering the PAS 6463 accessibility standard at its London HQ.
Technology – Unilever, for its new scanning and QR code packaging tech designed for all users.
Procurement – Arts Council England, for embedding inclusion in the cultural and creative sector.
Inclusive Workplace Experience (250+ employees) – Ofgem, for its digital ‘Optimal Working Passport’.
Inclusive Workplace Experience (up to 250 employees) – Inkfire, for championing flexible working and mentoring other small businesses.
Inclusive Recruitment – Enterprise East Group CIC, for its ‘Inclusion and Thrive’ supported employment programme.
Inclusive Communication Campaign – London Borough of Lambeth, for its ‘Accessible Lambeth: Blue Badge Awareness & Action’ campaign.
Inclusive Customer Experience (250+ employees) – Alexandra Park and Palace, for transforming access to a Grade II-listed venue.
Inclusive Customer Experience (up to 250 employees) – Mobility in Motion, for a user-first approach to automotive accessibility.
Global Disability Inclusion – Coca-Cola Europacific Partners, for its ‘Accessibility Matrix’ workplace inclusion tool.
Inclusive Product Design – Cambridge School Classics Project and Cambridge University Press & Assessment, for an accessible Latin course designed for diverse learning needs.
Helen Ouseley, Global Head of Culture & Community at Freshfields, said: “We’re proud to support the Disability Smart Awards and celebrate the innovative work being done across so many different sectors. These winners are helping to create a more inclusive society for disabled people.”
Co-host Simon Minty added: “Every year, I’m inspired by the creative and practical ways people are making inclusion happen. The awards are a great reminder of how much is being achieved—and how much more we can still do.”
The Business Disability Forum will continue to share learnings from the winning projects throughout the year to help other organisations replicate success and improve outcomes for disabled people.
