Two Disabled Entrepreneurs Share 2011 Stelios AwardTwo disabled entrepreneurs have won joint first prize for the 2011 Stelios Award for Disabled Entrepreneurs in the UK, a competition run by Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou, the Stelios Philanthropic Foundation and the charity Leonard Cheshire Disability.
Three finalists named for 2011 Stelios Award for Disabled Entrepreneurs in the UKThe disabled entrepreneurs - Ben Wolfenden, Rob Smith and Huw Thomas - saw off tough competition to make it to the final three of the prestigious award, which has been running for five years and recognises the achievements and unique challenges faced by disabled entrepreneurs.
Stelios Award For Disabled Entrepreneurs In The UK 2011
Vanessa Heywood speaks at Mothers Of Invention On March 16, 2010 Winner Vanessa Heywood headlines at "Mothers of Invention", part of the British Library's prestigious "Inspiring Entrepreneurs" series. Click HERE for more information and registration details. JOIN US! See Stelios and Vanessa Heywood of Tiny Mites Music at the 2010 Growing Business Awards in London (at 5:35 mins). To view... click HERE >>
Radlett mother-of-two wins £50,000 Stelios Award for Disabled Entrepreneurs in the UK 2010! Stelios Haji-Ioannou and the Stelios Philanthropic Foundation have announced the winner of the Stelios Award for Disabled Entrepreneurs in the UK - 2010, the prestigious, annual Award run in partnership with the charity Leonard Cheshire Disability. The Award, now in its fourth year, recognizes the achievements and unique challenges faced by entrepreneurs with disability. Vanessa Heywood, a 41-year-old Radlett resident, was presented with a cheque for £50,000 at the Growing Business Awards in London on Thursday night (25 November) for her company - Tiny Mites Music – which offers live and recorded interactive music sessions aimed at young children. Vanessa was selected from an impressive range of applicants for her business acumen, performance, originality and entrepreneurial passion. Beyond the £50,000, she and her company will also benefit from specialist support courtesy of the Stelios Scholar Reach-out Programme. When Vanessa was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in 1995, she had to give up her career as a professional actress, singer and dancer. The single mother-of-two, who once graced the stages of London's West End decided to set up a business that took advantage of her musical talent, while allowing her to manage the symptoms of her disability. Today, the business has grown and Vanessa has contracts with a number of large holiday parks, nursery chains and schools, and has brought out a Tiny Mites CD. Vanessa also provides Tiny Mites Birthday parties for under 5's and is now working on preparing her nationwide franchise operation. Vanessa is very excited about premiering her interactive musical "Tiny Mites at the Seaside" at the Radlett Centre Theatre in August 2011. Commenting on her achievement, Vanessa said: "I am absolutely thrilled to have won this Award, and would like to thank Sir Stelios, the Stelios Philanthropic Foundation and Leonard Cheshire Disability for making this possible. This is going to make such a difference to my business and my life. "Music is a passion for me; it is the family business. My father, a professional trombonist who toured with Frank Sinatra, taught me never to give up and to strive for perfection. "The idea of writing new, inspiring, interactive music for young children came to me in 2004. I wanted to connect with really young children with new, fun material that could cultivate a life -long love of music." Sir Stelios said: "I would like to congratulate Vanessa on running a successful business and displaying the drive, creativity and determination to reach the top and really fly. The £50,000 prize will ensure Tiny Mites Music has an important boost for growth. Today, she joins our community of entrepreneurs who are making a difference. "I am passionate about encouraging entrepreneurship through the Stelios Philanthropic Foundation, working in partnership with Leonard Cheshire Disability on this Award. With around 50 per cent of disabled adults out of work, removing the barriers disabled people face in business is essential." Zuhura Plummer, Corporate Partnerships Officer at Leonard Cheshire Disability, said: "Disabled people in business experience disadvantage and discrimination every day largely through ignorance - this must change. "To win this Award Vanessa has had to prove that she is dynamic, driven and that her business is destined to be a success. "Leonard Cheshire Disability leads the way with innovative initiatives and campaigns that challenge people to change the way they see disability. Our partnership with Sir Stelios is helping the charity highlight the barriers disabled people face in the workplace and recognise the outstanding achievements of disabled entrepreneurs." Congratulations, Vanessa!
Media enquiries * For further information, please contact Natalia Kannas in Leonard Cheshire Disability's press office on 020 3242 0389 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Out of office 07903 949 388. * Eleni Menikou, Citigate Dewe Rogerson on 020 7282 1086 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it * For further information on the Stelios Philanthropic Foundation, please contact Marie-Louise Bang on +33 643912740 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Notes to the editors: * Tiny Mites Music Limited Tiny Mites Music is one of the UK's leading providers of music, movement and drama classes for babies, toddlers and pre-school children. Our fun filled music based programmes are designed to encourage children's natural curiosity and imagination and maximise their potential in a playful, safe and encouraging environment, during their most formative years from 6 months to 6 years of age. www.tinymitesmusic.com * Leonard Cheshire Disability supports thousands of disabled people in the UK and works in 52 countries. We campaign for change and provide innovative services that give disabled people the opportunity to live life their way. Visit www.LCDisability.org * The Stelios Philanthropic Foundation is committed to dynamic philanthropy: making a positive, exponential difference through funding, inspiring and advising educational, entrepreneurial and environmental initiatives - the 3 E's. Through the Stelios Philanthropic Foundation, Stelios sponsors a number of Awards - in the UK, Greece, Cyprus and Monaco - celebrating entrepreneurship and the important contribution entrepreneurs make to society. Similarly, Stelios has pledged £3m for 200 scholarships over ten years at the London School of Economics and the Cass Business School at London's City University. He continues to be a strong supporter of environmental-sustainability through the WWF and other local initiatives. To find out more visit; www.stelios.com Latest Press Coverage: Real Business (26 November, 2010) Stelios Award for Disabled Entrepreneurs: winner announced... more >> City AM: Stelios star (26 November, 2010) Businesswoman Vanessa Heywood has been named winner of the annual Stelios Award for Disabled Entrepreneurs by Stelios Haji-Ioannou in partnership with Leonard Cheshire Disability charity... more >> 
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For more information and to register your interest for the Stelios Award for Disabled Entrepreneurs in the UK 2010 visit: www.disabledentrepreneur.org £50,000 competition launches to find Stelios Disabled Entrepreneur of the Year 2010From 7 June, disabled entrepreneurs across the UK can enter to win the £50,000 Stelios Award for Disabled Entrepreneur in the UK by submitting the application form and complying with the Award criteria.
This major award is run by Leonard Cheshire Disability and sponsored by easyGroup Chairman Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou - through the Stelios Philanthropic Foundation; it was presented in 2009 to John Pickup of Amputees in Action, a business that specializes in supplying amputee extras and stuntmen for film, television and military casualty training.
The 2010 winner will receive a cheque at the Growing Business Awards organized in London by Caspian Publishing and the CBI, taking place Thursday, November 25, 2010.
Stelios said: "I am passionate about encouraging an enterprising spirit and recognizing the incredible commitment and willingness to take risk on the part of entrepreneurs with disabilities. That is why I decided to work with Leonard Cheshire Disability to establish and run the Award since 2007.
"We received a terrific response last year from disabled entrepreneurs all over the UK and, as one of the judges, I was amazed by the high standard of entries.
"Arriving at a shortlist proved a difficult task just because there are so many talented entrepreneurs out there.
"With 50 per cent of disabled adults out of work, removing the barriers disabled people face in business is essential. Self-employment is the only viable option for many disabled people as it offers flexibility and helps bypass much of the prejudice that sadly still exists."
John Pickup said: "It was hard to find words to describe my emotions when the announcer said I had won last year.
"£50,000 has meant I've been able to invest in my business and, with a lot of hard work, I'm watching it grow. Winning the award and the support I have received from the Stelios Philanthropic Foundation and Leonard Cheshire Disability has given Amputees in Action kudos and more importantly confidence to succeed."
"Disabled people experience disadvantage and discrimination in business and enterprise every day, largely through ignorance - this needs to change."
A record number of entries have been received for the Stelios Award for Disabled Entrepreneurs in the UK - 2010! For updates and more information leading up to the announcement of the 2010 winner on November 25, please go to: www.stelios.com/entrepreneurship-news.html
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Past award winners
