A Paralympian and Birmingham ex-student (now film maker) has been short-listed for the prestigious Stelios Award for Disabled Entrepreneurs 2015, soon to be announced November 4 2015. Gilbey Films, created by founder Andy Gilbert, specializes in disability access films. The company makes short films for venues and attractions, hotels and hospitals, to use on their websites to showcase their accessible features and facilities. The company’s clients have included the Houses of Parliament, the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust, London Zoo, Whitechapel Gallery, DisabledGo and the five star W Hotel.
The group also make disability awareness training films for organisations such as Transport for London, VisitScotland and Parliamentary Outreach, and diversity show reels for the BBC. For more information, please go to www.gilbeyfilms.com
Andy’s background is in sport, both as a medal winning backstroke swimmer at the 1988 Paralympics and as a BBC producer, where he worked in sports coverage for 15 years. He series-produced programmes such as Match of the Day with Gary Lineker, and later directed Channel 4’s 2012 Paralympic peak-time evening show with Clare Balding & Ade Adepitan. Andy contracted Polio as a baby, which left his legs partly paralyzed, and he walks with the aid of a crutch
Andy said, “I know how to make films. Crucially, I understand the importance of brands and how to support a company’s values and vision. Combine this with my disability insight, and I feel I am uniquely placed. A short honest film is the best way to show potential disabled customers (plus friends and family) what’s on offer, so they have the confidence to visit – showcasing access in action.”
Andy is one of three finalists to the Stelios Award for Disabled Entrepreneurs 2015, run by EasyJet founder Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou and leading charity Leonard Cheshire Disability. Now in its ninth year, the award recognizes the unique achievements of disabled entrepreneurs and offers a £50,000 cash prize to the winner - the largest cash sum of its kind in the UK.
The two other finalists are Anna Wilkson of MoreRehab.com and Geoff Holt MBE of Wetwheels.co.uk
Sir Stelios said: “I am passionate about encouraging entrepreneurship, and the previous winners of this award offer proof that there are many highly talented disabled entrepreneurs out there.
“With around 50 per cent of disabled adults out of work it is clear that there still is a long way to go. Removing the barriers disabled people face in business is essential, and I hope that the Stelios Award for Disabled Entrepreneurs goes some way to highlighting their achievements.”
Tony Adamson, Leonard Cheshire Disability’s Director of Enterprise and Innovation said: “We’re so thrilled Andy has been chosen as one of the final three for this prestigious award – getting to this point is testimony to his hard work and determination. All of our finalists offer motivation to others, and we wish Andy the very best of luck for the final announcement.”
The winner of the Stelios Award for Disabled Entrepreneurs 2015 will be announced at a special awards ceremony to be held in London on 4 November.
