The Lilac Review will undertake extensive research into the challenges and opportunities faced by disabled-led businesses.
The Lilac Review will deliver the following in its first two years:
- Undertake research with a wide variety of stakeholders – including disabled entrepreneurs and the wider business community - to understand the challenges and opportunities in-depth, as well as shape an action plan to drive change.
- Lead a rallying call for meaningful action – across businesses large and small, business organisations, charities, and the public sector to commit to meaningful change, particularly where change is needed within the business support landscape.
- Develop and share best-practice materials – including a toolkit for all organisations engaging with entrepreneurs, to ensure support is as accessible and inclusive as possible.
It is spearheaded by Small Business Britain and jointly chaired by Victoria Jenkins, Founder and CEO, Unhidden, Kevin Hollinrake MP, Minister for Enterprise, Markets and Small Business, and Mims Davies MP, Minister for Disabled People, Health and Work, the Lilac Review will be governed by a Steering Board including disabled founders, as well as representatives from the wider business community and UK Government.
Estimates suggests that improving opportunity for disabled founders could unlock an additional £230 billion for the UK economy. Disabled entrepreneurs currently account for approximately 25% of the nation’s 5.5 million small businesses.
The need for the Lilac Review was highlighted by the ‘Disability and Entrepreneurship report’, launched by Small Business Britain in March 2023 in partnership with Lloyds Bank.
Minister for Disabled People and Co-Chair of The Lilac Review Mims Davies MP said:
“Disabled entrepreneurs currently make up a quarter of all small business owners – they are at the heart of our economy and its paramount they get every opportunity to succeed and thrive in their sectors.
“I’m delighted to be co-chairing the Lilac Review, which will help us make sure the UK is the best place to do business and to be a disabled entrepreneur – where your ideas and endeavours will be supported.”
Disability should not be a barrier to opportunity (thetimes.co.uk)
'Lilac Review" launched to level up disabled entrepreneurship (bmmagazine.co.uk)
