EFDS Honorary President and Board member among Power 100 list
To mark UN International Day of Persons with Disabilities (3 December), leading figures from across business, sport, the arts and a range of other professions have been featured in Power 100, a list of Britain’s most influential disabled people.
Powerful Media, well-known publishers of the Black Power and Future Leaders List, formed a partnership with Shaw Trust, an employment, learning and skills charity, to highlight the success of disabled people.
Building on the positive recognition of the first ever Power 100 list last year, Shaw Trust and Powerful Media agreed to publish a new version in 2016 after calls to continue the publication.
Power 100 complements the aims of UN International Day of Persons with Disabilities. It is important that society works together to promote the rights and well-being of disabled people.
Members of the public were invited to nominate people to be included in the list and an independent judging panel, chaired by Ade Adepitan MBE, a former Paralympian, wheelchair basketball player and television presenter, selected the final 100.
The Power 100 2016 top ten includes:
Baroness Grey-Thompson DBE, DL, this year’s number one on the list.
- A former legendary Paralympian wheelchair racer, Parliamentarian and highly respected television presenter, Tanni is EFDS Honorary President. Her total Paralympic Medal tally is 11 gold, 4 silver and 1 bronze and added to that 5 gold, 4 silver and 3 bronze medals at World Championships.
Over her career, Baroness Grey-Thompson broke 30 World Records on the track.
Alex Brooker, featured at number two.
- High profile journalist and presenter, best known for his television work with Channel 4 and for fronting Scope’s ‘End the Awkward’ campaign.
Eleanor May Simmonds, OBE, who reached number 10.
- Professional swimmer for Great Britain, world record holder and four times Paralympic Champion. Ellie came to national attention when she competed in the 2008 Summer Paralympics in Beijing, winning two gold medals.
The English Federation of Disability Sport (EFDS) was pleased to note one of the charity's Board members on the listing too. Dr Phil Friend OBE is a former Chair of Royal Association for Disability and Rights (RADAR) and Disability Rights (UK). He is a Vice President of the Level Playing Field Association, an Associate of the Business Disability Forum, a Trustee of RICA and a Commissioner on the Extra Costs Commission. Phil was elected to the Board in July 2015.
Hannah Ensor, made the list too. Hannah features in our new 'Me, being active' films which were released on 3 December to mark International Day for Disabled People.
Lloyds Banking Group sponsored this year’s publication launch at their headquarters in central London. The event was attended by a range of key figures included on the list to celebrate the publication.
Ade Adepitan MBE, Chairman of the Power 100 Judging Panel, said:
“I am committed to encouraging future generations of disabled people to aim for the very top in their chosen profession. It is important that we offer talented young disabled people equal opportunities to become the next Paralympic sports star or business leader. Power 100 is a celebration of British diversity and I was delighted to Chair this year’s judging panel.”
Minister for Disabled People, Justin Tomlinson MP, said:
“The Power 100 is a great way to celebrate the International Day of Disabled People. This list is full of powerful, inspirational figures from across the UK’s top industries, and highlights how many disabled people hold prominent and influential roles in our society. This is great news and I hope that their example will further change how people and businesses view disability. Over the last two years 339,000 more disabled people have found work, and I want to use the Power 100 to continue showcasing disabled talent and achieve our goal of halving the disability employment gap.”
Chief Executive of Shaw Trust, Roy O’Shaughnessy, said:
“The launch of Power 100 2016 is an important opportunity to recognise the achievements of disabled people across Britain. Shaw Trust is privileged to sponsor the publication for a second year and we hope it inspires more young disabled people to realise their full potential. Society has a shared responsibility to help eradicate social exclusion and break down traditional barriers holding disabled people back from achieving their life goals. Power 100 drives home the message that aspiration and ambition can increasingly be without limits for all abilities and backgrounds.”
David Oldfield, Group Director, Retail, Lloyds Banking Group, said:
“As Executive Sponsor for Disability at Lloyds Banking Group, I am delighted that we have the opportunity to celebrate the success of Britain’s most influential people with a disability or impairment. Diversity and inclusion sits at the heart of our business objectives. As part of our Helping Britain Prosper Plan, we have set a public goal around increasing the engagement levels of disabled colleagues in all roles, and we are committed to making it happen.”
