Eleven new sector champions, who will help to tackle the issues
disabled people face as consumers, have been announced by the
Minister for Disabled People, Work and Health today (21 February
2017).
The champions, who represent a range of different sectors and
businesses, from gaming to retail, will use their influential
status as leaders in their industries to promote the benefits of
being inclusive to disabled people.
There are currently more than 11 million disabled people in the
UK and the spending power of their households - ‘the purple
pound’ - is almost £250 billion. But many businesses are missing
out on this potential customer base by having everyday products
and services which aren’t available to disabled people – who, as
a result, are regularly excluded from experiences and
opportunities that many others take for granted.
The sector champions will amplify the voices of disabled
customers and employees within their own industries, increasing
accountability and challenging inequality. They will also be able
to highlight specific changes and improvements that will make a
difference to the millions of people who often miss out.
The Minister for Disabled People, Work and Health, , said:
As a public advocate for accessibility, these champions will
help businesses realise the value of disabled consumers and the
importance of catering to every customer’s needs.
These industries must become fully inclusive. Not being able to
access the high street, products and services, transport or
simply to access a loo jars with our national values: it must
change.
The new sector champions will drive improvements to the
accessibility and quality of services and facilities in their
sector, helping to showcase best practice and show other
businesses the merit of making disabled customers a priority.
The sector champions are:
- Helen Drury, Corporate Responsibility Manager at Intu
(retail)
- Suzanne Bull MBE, CEO of Attitude is Everything (music)
-
, Public Affairs Director
at UKActive (leisure)
- Chris Veitch, Co-founder of Access New Business (tourism)
- Robin Sheppard, Chairman of Bespoke Hotels (hotels)
- Dan Brooke, Chief Marketing & Communications Officer at
Channel 4 (media)
- Sam Phillips, CMO at Omnicom Media Group (advertising)
- Michael Connolly, Regional Training and Standards Manager at
OCS ltd (transport - airports)
- Jane Cole, Managing Director at Blackpool Transport Services
(transport - buses)
- Trudie Hills, Disability Manager, Lloyds Bank (banking)
- Dr Jo Twist OBE, CEO of UKIE (gaming)
