Easyjet founder announces disability awards shortlist

• Five finalists handpicked by Sir Stelios each win £10,000
• Companies on the shortlist are Mobiloo, MentalSnapp, Evenbreak, Review My Wheelchair and Katherine Fortnum Ceramics.
• Winner will win a further £20,000 at an award ceremony on 14 November 2017

EasyJet founder Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou and leading international charity Leonard Cheshire Disability announced today the five finalists for the Stelios Award for Disabled Entrepreneurs 2017. Each has won £10,000 and now has a chance to win a further £20,000.

More than 70 candidates – a record entry – applied for the Stelios Award for Disabled Entrepreneurs this year. The applications came from diverse business arenas, including fashion, retail, sport and leisure and tourism.

The five finalists are:

Jane Hatton of London, founder of Evenbreak (www.evenbreak.co.uk), an accessible specialist online job board where inclusive employers can attract more talented disabled talent and disabled jobseekers can find work with employers who will value their skills. 

Hannah Chamberlain of London, co-founder of Mental Snapp (www.mentalsnapp.com), a video diary app to help anyone actively managing their mental health.

James Brown of Wiltshire, founder of Mobiloo (www.mobiloo.org.uk) , the world’s first attended mobile toilet and changing facility for disabled people who need a hoist and changing table to use the toilet or be changed.

Dominic Lund-Conlon of Essex, founder of Review My Wheelchair (www.reviewmywheelchair.co.uk), which provides unbiased and clear reviews for wheelchair users to support their decision when purchasing a wheelchair.

Katherine Fortnum of Leicestershire, founder of Katherine Fortnum Ceramics (www.katherinefortnumceramics.com) , a producer of hand built ceramic homewares and decorative sculptures.

The overall winner will win £30,000 and an additional 4 shortlisted applicants will each get £10,000.

The award is jointly run by the Stelios Philanthropic Foundation (www.stelios.com) and the charity Leonard Cheshire Disability, (www.LeonardCheshire.org). Started 11 years ago, it recognises the achievements of disabled entrepreneurs in the UK.

Past winners have been drawn from the travel agency, building and IT sectors as well as businesses specialising in disability/mobility aids and services. The winner will be announced on Thursday 14 November 2017