Winners of the Disability Smart Awards 2023 were announced on 27 April at an awards ceremony hosted by Business Disability Forum (BDF) and sponsored by Microlink.

Disability Smart Awards recognise the work of teams and individuals who have gone above and beyond to improve the experiences of disabled people.

Ten Disability Smart Awards were presented this year. These were across the areas of workplace and customer experience, learning and development, product design, built environment, technology and leadership. Winners included global brands, a UK charity, a social enterprise, a regional airport, and a local police force.

Business Disability Forum also awarded a Disability Smart Lifetime Achievement to David Oldfield, Group Chief Operating Officer at Lloyds Banking Group.  

Simon Minty co-hosted the awards ceremony with BDF’s CEO, Diane Lightfoot. Simon is a long-standing Ambassador of the Business Disability Forum, a disability trainer and consultant, and a TV personality.

Diane Lightfoot, CEO of Business Disability Forum, said: “I want to congratulate all of the 2023 winners and finalists. Their actions have significantly improved opportunities and life experiences for many disabled people. We hope the awards show what is possible and will encourage all businesses to aim higher on disability inclusion.”

Disability Smart Awards 2023: Full list of winners and finalists

Disability Smart Accessible Built Environment: Winner -Avon & Somerset Police

For their work to create a unique custodial environment for people with sensory needs.

Finalists: Lloyds Banking Group, Marsham Court Hotel, and GSK (Highly commended)

Disability Smart Diversity and Inclusion Professional: Winner – Sat Jabanda-Wilson, Virgin Media O2

For bringing about systematic change, including the creation of an accessibility framework for product teams.

Finalists: Ruel Ramirez (Shell), Wael S. Alomari (Saudi Aramco) and Lydia Stott (Cooper Parry- Highly commended)

Disability Smart Inclusive Communication: Winner – HSBC

For developing and delivering inclusive communication training to staff and external agencies and introducing an effective inclusive communication benchmark.

Finalists: Unilever, schuh

Disability Smart Inclusive Customer Service: Winner – MAG East Midlands Airport

For looking to meet the needs of disabled passengers at every step of the journey from arrival to final destination.

Finalists: Motability Operations Ltd, Enterprise Rent-a-Car, and Hull Truck Theatre (Highly commended)

Disability Smart Inclusive Product Design Award: Winner – Proctor & Gamble

For washing detergent packaging, which is both accessible and environmentally friendly.

Finalists: Microsoft, Designability, and Unhidden (Highly commended)

Disability Smart Inclusive Recruitment Award: Winner – KPMG in the UK

For seeking to improve diversity throughout the organisation from graduate to senior levels.

Finalists: Ford India Private Ltd (Sanand Engine Plant), Leeds City Council, and HSBC UK (Highly commended)

Disability Smart Inclusive Workplace Experience Award – EvenBreak

For creating a personalised recruitment process and an individualised support package of coaching, mental health and well-being support for all employees. 

Finalists: BT Group, Charlotte Street Hotel (Firmdale Hotels)

Disability Smart Leader Award: Winner – Claire Cookson, DFN Project SEARCH

For making it her personal mission to enable young adults with a learning disability and autism spectrum conditions to reach their full potential through employment. 

Finalists: Neil Milliken (Atos), Julia Dunn (HSBC UK) and Jules Hussey (Brazen Productions – Highly commended)

Disability Smart Learning & Development Award: Winner – HSBC

For developing a professional, thoughtful, and engaging accessibility awareness eLearning course to upskill staff.

Finalists: Google Inc, Lloyds Banking Group and Make Real, and Atos (Highly commended)

Disability Smart Lifetime Achievement Award: Winner – David Oldfield, Group Chief Operating Officer, Lloyds Banking Group

For his ongoing commitment to helping organisations just starting out on their disability inclusion journey and using his own experiences to discuss mental health at a senior level.

Disability Smart Technology Award: Winner – Amazon

For innovation that has benefitted disabled customers globally, including making it easier for customers to find the devices and services that are right for them. 

Finalists: Sky, Signapse, and XRAI Glass (Highly commended)

Find out more about the award winners and their stories on the Disability Smart Awards 2023 section of Business Disability Forum’s website.