The Disability Smart Awards for 2025, sponsored by Freshfields, were presented in London on 29 April to organisations and individuals that are working hard to eliminate barriers and make society more inclusive of disabled people.
The Disability Smart Awards, now in their 11th year of existence, is an annual event that is open to all organisations regardless of size and sector. The Disability Smart Awards, which are now in their 11th year, is an annual event that brings together organisations of all sizes and sectors to share evidence and lessons learned from winning projects and finalists. The goal is to increase the business’ understanding of diversity and inclusion, and provide positive outcomes for people with disabilities.
Diane Lightfoot CEO of Business Disability Forum said:
Congratulations to the winners and finalists of this year’s Disability Smart Award. In 2025, the Disability Discrimination Act will be 30 years old and the Equality Act 15 years old. Our Disability Smart Award winners, finalists and nominees show that we still have a lot of work to do to become a truly inclusive society.
Our success stories show what is possible when disability inclusion becomes a priority for organisations.
Disability Smart Awards: 2025 Winners
Disability Smart Awards were presented to thirteen organisations or individuals this year.
Disability Smart Leader Award
Winner: Georgina Collman, founder and CEO of Purpl Discounts. She founded the UK’s very first disabled discount website, which is aimed at improving the lives and finances for every disabled person living in the UK.
Disability Smart Diversity and Inclusion Professional Award
Neil Eustice is the winner for his lifelong career in driving disability inclusion. He has worked at KPMG and the IAAP, as well as sharing his expertise through external forums like the Business Disability Forum Technology Taskforce.
Disability Smart Award for Accessible Built Environment
Royal National Institute of Blind People, London Headquarters Project: Pioneering the new PAS6463 national standard for accessibility of their employees, volunteers and clients.
Disability Smart Technology Award
Unilever won for their innovative scanning technology, which can be used from afar and reads out the information on the packaging.
Disability-Smart Procurement Award
Arts Council England won for its innovative approach to removing barriers in the cultural and creative sector and improving experiences for people who are deaf or disabled.
Disability Smart Inclusive Experience Award (250+ Employees)
Ofgem won for its digital workplace adjustment passport (the ‘Optimal Working Passport,’ the first of its type in the Civil Service), which streamlines the way employees request accommodations and ensures rapid approvals while maintaining robust data security.
Award for Disability Smart Inclusive Workplace Experience (up to 250 Employees)
Winner: Inkfire for their commitment to accessibility and inclusion, through their flexible internal working framework, mentoring other small businesses, and their inclusive outputs and practices.
Disability Smart Inclusive Employment Award
Winner: Enterprise East Group CIC for its supported employment programme ‘Inclusion & Thrive,’ which includes well-rounded disability training and a placement at one of their social enterprises.
Disability Smart Inclusive Communication Campaign Award
London Borough of Lambeth won for its ‘Accessible Lambeth Blue Badge Awareness and Action’ campaign, which focused on protecting and promoting the mobility of disabled drivers within Lambeth as well as nationally by working with them to tackle increasing Blue Badge crimes.
Disability Smart Inclusive Experience Award (250+ Employees)
Winner: Alexandra Park and Palace for revolutionising their engagement with the disabled community and making their Victorian Grade 2-listed building an accessible hub to all.
Award for Customer Experience (up to 250 Employees)
Winner: Mobility in motion, for its innovative and customer-focused approach to transforming accessibility for automobiles. The award recognizes the company’s ability to offer tailored solutions, expert advice, and ensure travel is accessible and safe for everyone.
Disability Smart Global Disability Inclusion Award
Coca-Cola Europacific Partners won the award for its ‘Accessibility matrix’ tool. This tool improves workplace accessibility through accessible guidelines, a self-assessment, and strategic planning tools.
Disability Smart Inclusive Design Award
Winner: Cambridge School Classics Project, Cambridge University Press & Assessment for developing a new edition in various formats of a beginner’s Latin course, which is designed to reflect lived experiences, and be accessible to students with varying needs.
Disability Smart Awards Support 2025
Freshfields Global Law Firm sponsored the Disability Smart Awards for 2025. BDF Ambassador and TV personality Simon Minty co-hosted this ceremony.
Helen Ouseley is the Global Head of Culture & Community for Freshfields. She said:
“We’re delighted to sponsor the Disability Smart Awards for this year. We are supporting Business Disability Forum as they honour some of the amazing work that is being done by individuals and organisations in this area. We want to congratulate the winners of 2025. “It is wonderful to see the diversity of sectors represented, and how their work has made a positive impact on the lives disabled people.”
Simon Minty is a long-time ambassador of Business Disability Forum and a TV personality. He is also a trainer, consultant and TV personality.
It is always a great pleasure to be able to co-host these awards. It’s my third year and I am excited to see the value that these businesses and organizations place on disability inclusion, and to see their innovative efforts to make this a reality. I love hearing about innovative ways to do things.
“An award may be a snapshot, but it is also a moment of reflection and inspiration for us all to reflect on our work and do better. The winning entries this year show what can be achieved when people work together to bring about change.
Disability Smart Awards: 2025 Winners
Visit the Business Disability Forum Disability Smart Awards page to learn more about the winners and awards.
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