Lancashire Couple shortlisted for Entrepreneur of Excellence Award
Ian & Sue Rainford from Hambleton, Lancashire have been shortlisted for the Entrepreneur of Excellence Award in this year’s National Diversity Awards in association with HSBC UK. It’s a huge achievement to reach this stage as from over 90,000 nominees, 125 finalists in 10 categories have been named in recognition of their dedication to advancing equality, diversity and inclusion.
Ian & Sue have been shortlisted for their entrepreneurship and dedication to creating tourism accessible for all through their business Brickhouse Farm Cottages. The nomination comes following a string of nominations and accolades for the couple and their business, including the Bronze Award for Accessible and Inclusive Tourism at the VisitEngland Awards for Excellence 2023.
Winners will be announced on October 4, 2024 at the prestigious 13th National Diversity Awards in the stunning Liverpool Anglican Cathedral.
A highlight in the diversity calendar, the National Diversity Awards unite UK citizens irrespective of race, faith, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability and culture. Hailed as the ‘Golden Globes’ of the diversity world, this year’s event will be hosted for the second year running by world-renowned broadcaster, author, presenter and journalist Clare Balding, CBE who, in her life and through her work, champions diversity, inclusion and equity.
“I’m honoured and delighted to return as host for these uplifting and inspiring awards. It’s so important to recognise individuals, organisations and charities going above and beyond to unite their communities, making them stronger, safer and happier,” says Clare Balding, CBE. “The National Diversity Awards celebrate all that’s good and powerful in an inclusive society and bring much deserved attention to community heroes whose hard work and achievements might otherwise go unnoticed.”
Nominees were put forward for one of these categories:
- Entrepreneur of Excellence
The finalists in the Entrepreneur of Excellence category are:
Adrien & Pierre Gaubert, Victoria Emslie, Nic Ponsford, Ross Laing, Shada Lambert, Simon Sansome, Helen Cooke and Ian & Sue Rainford
‘It is an honour to be shortlisted for this award but more importantly for the opportunity to showcase the importance of accessibility on a nation level – accessible tourism should be the standard, never an after though.’
“These Awards honour the unsung heroes transforming lives and perceptions through their unwavering commitment,” says Paul Sesay, CEO of Inclusive Companies, and founder of the National Diversity Awards. “They also serve to inspire the next generation of diversity advocates to be courageous, take a stand and make a meaningful impact in their communities.”