Innovators Against the Odds

Introduction

In today's dynamic business landscape, UK entrepreneurs with disabilities are not only breaking barriers—they're redefining the rules. From adaptive fashion to travel services, accessible tech to social enterprises, these visionary leaders are transforming sectors and inspiring a more inclusive future. This article examines the journeys of several pioneering individuals with disabilities, exploring how their lived experiences fuel innovation and drive success across various industries.

1. Amar Latif – Travel Visionary

Amar Latif, OBE, a Scottish entrepreneur who is nearly blind due to retinitis pigmentosa, founded Traveleyes—a travel agency specialising in guided tours for blind and partially sighted travellers. After a successful career in finance, Latif founded his agency in 2004 to make the world accessible. His unique business model pairs sighted guides with visually impaired travellers, valuing immersive sensory experiences over conventional sight-centric tourism. Latif received the first-ever Stelios Disabled Entrepreneur Award in 2007 and was later appointed OBE for his contributions to entrepreneurship and the visually impaired.(Wikipedia)

2. Josh Wintersgill – Designing Mobility

At just 27, Josh Wintersgill, who has Spinal Muscular Atrophy, founded Able Move Ltd, producing innovative mobility products, including the easyTravelseat —a transfer device that ensures safety and dignity for people with reduced mobility. Graduating in IT and Management, he initially worked in cybersecurity before turning creator. His lived experience shaped his entrepreneurial mission to improve everyday accessibility.(Youth Business International)

3. Umbreen – Care Home Leader

Umbreen, living with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease and hearing loss, overcame educational setbacks and caregiving challenges to lead a family-run care home business. She became the 2019 winner of the Stelios Award for Disabled Entrepreneurs, a prestigious recognition from Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou and the Leonard Cheshire Foundation. Drawing on personal adversity, she prioritises stylish, accessible design and therapeutic environments.(Muscular Dystrophy UK)

4. Victoria Jenkins – Adaptive Fashion Pioneer

Victoria Jenkins founded Unhidden in 2016, a groundbreaking adaptive fashion brand offering stylish, functional clothing for people with disabilities. A London College of Fashion graduate, she leveraged her experience in garment technology to address chronic pain conditions and inclusive design. Unhidden became the first adaptive brand to show at London Fashion Week in 2023, and Jenkins later collaborated with Primark to bring affordable adaptive wear to mainstream retail. In addition, she authored The Little Book of Ableism and served as a judge on The Great British Sewing Bee.(Wikipedia)

5. Josh Hough – Digital Care Innovator

Josh Hough, who lives with minicore myopathy and uses a wheelchair and feeding tube, founded Careline Live, a management software platform for home care agencies. Driven by frustration with inefficient care service systems, Hough built a business that generated £3.5 million in revenue and employed 42 people, with bases in West Sussex and London. His leadership approach emphasises flexibility, inclusivity, and supporting neurodiverse employees—all informed by his personal journey.(The Times)

6. Limitless Travel – Accessible Journeys by Angus Drummond

After being diagnosed with muscular dystrophy at 22 and encountering accessibility failures during his own travels, Angus Drummond launched Limitless Travel in 2015. His company specializes in fully accessible group trips, including coach tours, international getaways, and cruise journeys with trained carers. The business has raised £6.5 million and continues to advocate for better industry accessibility standards.(The Times)

7. Harry Specters – Social Enterprise in Chocolate

Founded in 2012 by Mona and Shaz Shah in Cambridgeshire, Harry Specters employs and provides work experience to autistic individuals. Named by their autistic son, the chocolatier creates award-winning artisan chocolates—34 accolades to date, including a Kings Award for Enterprise in 2024. Remarkably, 60% of profits are reinvested in social goals, and for every £1 spent, 69 pence of social value is generated. (Wikipedia)

8. Steph Cutler – Turning Vision Loss into Purpose

After losing most of her sight in her late 20s due to a rare condition, designer Steph Cutler founded Making Lemonade, offering disability and equality training, motivational speaking, and self‑employment workshops. Her name derives from her mantra: “If life deals you lemons ... make lemonade.” Her journey from assistive tech learner to award-winning entrepreneur underlines how personal transformation can fuel social impact.(The Guardian)

9. Keely Cat‑Wells – Championing Disabled Talent

Keely Cat-Wells, diagnosed with dyslexia and later with PTSD from chronic illness, founded C Talent, a pioneering agency representing disabled creators across acting and media. Recognized by Forbes 30 Under 30, and active in the Shaw Trust Power 100, she later merged with Whalar while continuing to lead its disability division. Cat‑Wells also co‑founded Making Space Media and spearheads inclusion within entertainment.(Wikipedia)

10. Toby Churchill – Teching Communication for All

Toby Churchill contracted encephalitis at age 21, becoming paralysed and unable to speak. Dissatisfied with existing communication aids, he designed the Lightwriter device and founded Toby Churchill Ltd in 1973. His inventions transformed access for non-speaking individuals, earning him numerous awards, including the Queen’s Award for Export and recognition on Tomorrow’s World. He also ventured into wine importing and property rentals, showcasing entrepreneurial versatility.(Wikipedia)

Broader Impact and Analysis

Disabled founders remain underrepresented yet remarkably innovative. One in four UK entrepreneurs identify as disabled or neurodiverse, yet they are disproportionately underfunded—400× less likely to receive VC funding than non‑disabled counterparts.(Tech Nation) However, they are more likely to pursue self-employment: 18% of disabled men and 8% of disabled women are self-employed, compared to 14% and 6% respectively in non-disabled counterparts.(Beauhurst) The entrepreneurial mindset among individuals with disabilities stems from necessity but blossoms into a powerful driver of innovation.

Institutions like the Stelios Awards for Disabled Entrepreneurs play a critical role in recognition and support, while organisations such as Leonard Cheshire Disability and Creo offer mentorship, networks, and resources.(Elite Business Magazine)

Forward-looking investors and policymakers should recognise that supporting disabled entrepreneurs is not charity—it’s unlocking a vast reservoir of creativity, resilience, and unmet market opportunities.(Elite Business Magazine)

Conclusion

These inspiring UK entrepreneurs demonstrate how disability can catalyse creativity, empathy, and business innovation rather than inhibit it. Their stories should prompt society—investors, industry leaders, policymakers—to dismantle barriers and create a truly inclusive economy.

Sources

1. Amar Latif (Traveleyes, Stelios Award, OBE) (Wikipedia)

2. Josh Wintersgill (Able Move Ltd, easyTravelseat) (Youth Business International)

3. Umbreen (Care Home business, Stelios Award) (Muscular Dystrophy UK)

4. Victoria Jenkins (Unhidden adaptive fashion, LFW, Primark collab) (Wikipedia)

5. Josh Hough (CareLineLive, £3.5m revenue) (The Times)

6. Angus Drummond (Limitless Travel, £6.5m raised) (The Times)

7. Harry Specters (autistic employment, social enterprise awards) (Wikipedia)

8. Steph Cutler (Making Lemonade training business) (The Guardian)

9. Keely Cat‑Wells (C Talent, Forbes, Making Space Media) (Wikipedia)

10. Toby Churchill (Lightwriter, communication aids) (Wikipedia)

11. Broader data on disability entrepreneurship, funding, and support awards (Tech Nation)