Judges

Dr Shani Dhanda is an accessibility specialist, broadcaster and campaigner for disability inclusion. She is dedicated to making society and businesses more accessible for everyone.  

Shani works with government and sits on several boards to improve disability inclusion. She was named the UK’s most influential disabled person and a BBC 100 Women Laureate,  

Shani is a well-known speaker and broadcaster, appearing at major events and on national TV. Including as BBC Asian Network’s first visibly disabled presenter.  

She also founded the Asian Woman Festival and the Asian Disability Network. She’s been recognised in Forbes’ Accessibility 100. And has received more than 30 awards for her work driving real change in inclusion. 

Aaron Phipps MBE is a three times Paralympian and gold medal winning champion from the Tokyo 2020 games. He has scaled Kilimanjaro on his hands and knees for charity and has been voted in the top 100 most influential people in the UK with a disability. 

Asad is the lead presenter for BBC London television news. He is also a Royal Television Society award winning reporter and BAFTA nominated presenter. Asad has worked as a researcher in the House of Lords and is an Ambassador for His Majesty the King’s British Asian Trust. 

Brendan leads PurpleSpace’s work to grow disability Employee Resource Groups worldwide. He also works to build confidence in every employee with a disability. Brendan is a Dyslexic thinker with nearly 20 years of experience. He helps organisations boost their disability confidence. Brendan is passionate about employee-led approaches to disability inclusion. 

Cherylee has played Izzy Armstrong in Coronation Street since 2010. She has had six seasons of Tinsel Girl, her memoir based plays on Radio 4. 

She is the founder of the award-winning TripleC, who run The Disabled Artists Networking Community. Cherylee received an MBE in the New Years honours list 2022 for services to disabled people and drama.

Destiny Pinto is the designer and CEO of 'By Destiny Pinto'. She creates accessible accessories that turn medical devices into fashion. Destiny's experience with rheumatoid arthritis and her best friend's IBD inspire her designs. They aim to spark social change and have earned recognition from British Vogue and Forbes 30 Under 30. 

Dr Amit Patel is a best-selling author, award-winning diversity, equity, and inclusion consultant, broadcaster, keynote speaker, and disability rights campaigner. He supports various charities. And is dedicated to promoting equal opportunities and breaking down barriers for people with disabilities, ensuring a more inclusive society. 

Dr Steph Blanco is Vice Chair of FND Dimensions and a Senior Lecturer in Neuropsychology. She champions disability equality through research, advocacy, and inclusive teaching. Living with Functional Neurological Disorder, she uses her lived experience to help organisations and students adopt more accessible practices. Steph won the Purple Pioneer Scope Award in 2025.   

Funmi Lawal is the Founder and CEO of Clip-Knix. Clip-Knix creates adaptive underwear that promotes dignity and independence. Funmi is alson Vice Chair of the Royal Free Hospital Kidney Patients Association. She is passionate about disability inclusion, innovation, and empowering people to live with confidence and choice. 

Being Her are sibling content creators, Hermon and Heroda. They happen to be deaf but that’s really no biggie. For them it’s a superpower that gives them a unique perspective on all areas of life including travel, fashion, beauty and everything in between. They see it as their duty to dispel negative stereotypes about deafness, disability, and race. 

Imali Chislett is the founder and CEO of Inkfire, a disabled-led digital agency. Inkfire is committed to inclusive employment and accessible design. Imali is a passionate advocate for disability equality and creativity. She also authors the blog Mali and Me. Inkfire won a Scope Award in the Inclusive Workplace category in 2025.

Jake Brown was crowned the joint winner of The Traitors UK Season 3 and catapulted into the public consciousness. He also plays for the England Cerebral Palsy Football Team. Diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy at 6 months old, Jake overcame his inital shame and now sees the condition as a hugely positive influence. 

Jameisha Prescod is a multidisciplinary artist, journalist and chronic illness advocate from South London. Jameisha is also the founder of You Look Okay to Me. An online space for exploring how disability and chronic illness intersect with culture and identity. 

Lee Ridley is a stand-up comedian, and the first to use a communication device live on stage. Performing as ‘Lost Voice Guy’, Lee won Britain’s Got Talent in 2018. He also won the BBC New Comedy Award in 2014. He has performed all over the UK and starred in and co-written four series of Ability for BBC Radio 4. 

Lisa Lloyd, known as ASD with a G and T on social media, advocates for the SEND community. As an autistic person raising two autistic children, she shares her experiences with humor. She campaigns for better support for SEND children. Lisa is also a Sunday Times bestselling author of 'Raising the SEN-betweeners' and a patron of SPACE. 

Moeed Majeed is an award-winning presenter, model and content creator from London. Moeed lives with Crohn's disease and a stoma, and uses his platfrom to champion disability representation. Through his documentary work, podcasting and creative projects, Mooed challenges perceptions. And creates space for authentic, diverse stories in media and beyond. 

Nicole Steven is the Disability Project Manager at Channel 4. She leads on disability inclusion on and off screen within the television industry. She collaborates with internal teams and external creative partners to drive channel-defining content. And spearhead industry-shaping initiatives. 

Praveen Kolluguri is an activist and product marketing expert. He advocates for disability, neurodiversity, and social justice. As a former co-chair of BT’s Able2 ERG, he promotes inclusion in organizations. He is also a member of Prospect Union’s Equality Committee. Recognized in the Shaw Trust Disability Power 100, he is celebrated as a changemaker. 

Samantha Renke is an actress, presenter, speaker, writer and disability rights campaigner who was named as number 3 in The Shaw Trust Power 100 List of 2020. She is a regular columnist for the Metro. Samantha hosted ITV’s series, Unfiltered Women. Samantha is an ambassador for Scope, and various other charities.  

Tumi Sotire, founder of The Black Dyspraxic, is an award-winning advocate for neurodiversity and intersectionality. He serves in advisory roles and is a Clean Language Coach with Genius Within. He empowers neurodiverse communities through coaching and leadership in inclusion initiatives. Tumi won the Social Media Influencer Scope Award in 2025. 

Tyler Saunders is a fitness coach, adaptive fitness consultant, athlete and speaker. Born with one leg, Tyler joined the fitness industry in 2015. He dedicates himself to helping others challenge limiting beliefs and achieve better health and fitness. His mission is to make the fitness industry more accessible.