ARU Peterborough’s Dr. Tom Williamson Joins Government Initiative to Support Disabled Entrepreneurs

Dr. Tom Williamson, the Assistant Principal at ARU Peterborough, has been appointed to the Lilac Review Steering Board, a Government initiative aimed at addressing the challenges faced by entrepreneurs with disabilities. The Steering Board, which includes individuals from various sectors, will work on creating an action plan to alleviate the barriers that hinder the success of business leaders with disabilities. These barriers include higher start-up costs, difficulties in accessing funding and support, and a lack of recognition from wider society.

The Lilac Review Steering Board is co-chaired by Victoria Jenkins, the Chief Executive and Founder of adaptive fashion brand Unhidden, Kevin Hollinrake MP, the Minister for Small Business, and Mims Davies MP, the Minister for Disabled People. The initiative was launched in response to findings that reveal that although disabled entrepreneurs make up about a quarter of the UK’s small business owners, they account for only 8.6 per cent of the total small business turnover. Small Business Britain estimates that bridging the gap for these businesses could unlock an additional £230 billion in business turnover.

Dr. Williamson, who oversees the Faculty of Business, Innovation and Entrepreneurship at ARU Peterborough, expressed his privilege in being part of the Steering Board, emphasizing the university’s commitment to levelling up opportunities for disabled business owners. He stated, “It is clear that disabled-led businesses across the UK face a variety of challenges that are preventing many from reaching their full potential. A key part of ARU Peterborough’s mission is levelling up and helping to maximise the benefits of entrepreneurship on communities, and this review aligns with our goals.”

The Lilac Review initiative was prompted by the ‘Disability and Entrepreneurship report’ released by Small Business Britain in collaboration with Lloyds Bank. The report revealed that while 35 per cent of founders said their disability had a positive impact on their entrepreneurship, over half of them had no external support when starting up, 72 per cent lacked appropriate role models to guide them, and 55 per cent received no financial support.

In addition to ARU Peterborough, the Lilac Review Steering Board comprises companies such as BT, eBay, and Lloyds Bank, as well as business organizations like the Federation of Small Business and the British Chambers of Commerce, and a number of disabled founders.

Dr. Tom Williamson’s involvement in this initiative represents a significant step towards empowering disabled entrepreneurs and fostering a more inclusive and supportive business ecosystem. As the Steering Board progresses with its action plan, it is hoped that the barriers faced by disabled entrepreneurs will be dismantled, allowing them to fully realise their potential and contribute meaningfully to the UK’s entrepreneurial landscape.