At a glance

Nominees for the Dyslexia Awards, celebrating its tenth anniversary, include individuals from diverse backgrounds across the UK, such as a 'pearly king' and a circus performer. The awards recognise the achievements of dyslexic individuals in various fields, highlighting their innovation, creativity, and resilience. The ceremony, which started as a regional initiative in Shropshire, will take place in October.

Inspirational people from across the UK including a ‘pearly king’ and a circus performer are among the nominees for this year’s prestigious Dyslexia Awards.

In what is the organisation’s tenth anniversary year, the award ceremony will return in October, shining a spotlight on remarkable achievements of dyslexic individuals across the UK. The event began as a regional initiative in Shropshire before growing nationally and has become known for its inspiring stories and community spirit.

The awards shine a light on the innovation, creativity and resilience within the dyslexic community - and the finalists have been announced ahead of this year’s ceremony. Individuals from Shropshire, London, Brighton, Kent, Leicestershire, Essex and Cheltenham have all been put forward, with finalists representing a range of professions and backgrounds.

Founder and dyslexia champion, Elizabeth Wilkinson MBE, who also operates as The Dyslexic Dyslexia Consultant, said: “The nominations we’ve received this year again shine a spotlight on the incredible stories and work people do, with so many inspirational stories.

“It is fantastic to see the range of finalists, and I know the judges have had a really difficult job with tough choices having to be made to decide the winners.

“We’re all so excited to see everyone at the awards ceremony in October, and a huge congratulations goes to those who have been nominated.”

Check out the full list of nominees in each of the categories:

Community Shining Star (20+) award - sponsored by Bespoke Computing Ltd

Andrew Willis from Twyford, Berkshire

Founder and manager of the Banburyshire Advice Centre, he has spent more than 25 years helping individuals and families access support, advice and guidance.

Charlotte Austwick from Brighton

A writer, speaker and advocate, Charlotte was recognised by the judges for her outstanding contribution in raising awareness and understanding of dyslexia and neurodiversity.  

Christopher Conlan from Bromley, Kent

Christopher holds the title of Sevenoaks Town Crier and also the Pearly King of Bromley. He is very much a community champion, known for his fundraising, public speaking and preserving community traditions.

Sandra Carter from Digbeth, London

Founder of Dyslexic Godmother presents Neuroverse, she is an author, creative advocate and community leader who helps neurodivergent children and adults through storytelling, workshops and mentoring.

Innovation (18+) sponsored by Exclusive Solutions Ltd

Dan Lamoon from Markfield, Leicestershire

The founder of Co.lab Creation, Dan is an innovator specialising in video storytelling, careers education and learning design, helping make education and training more engaging and accessible

Hugo Knox from London

Hugo is the founder of ORNA Group and Tree Brothers - coming up with the innovative idea of developing sustainable construction materials made from recovered Christmas tree biomass.

Jacqueline Stockwell from Yeldham, Essex

Founder of Leadership Through Data, Jacqueline is an entrepreneur and innovator who uses data, learning and leadership development to support individuals and organisations.

Amazing Artist (18+) sponsored by In The Loop

Jacob Chandler from Telford, Shropshire

A sculptor and artist, Jacob specialises in striking bronze sculptures, creating nationally recognised works that explore movement, balance and human experience.

Jane Pickworth from Shrewsbury, Shropshire

Jane is an artist, puppeteer, voice actor and creative professional who works in television, theatre, visual art and children’s entertainment.

Simon Horton from Telford, Shropshire

Known as Leo Loco, Simon is a circus performer, entertainer and founder of Leo Loco Circus Skills, inspiring audiences through circus arts, magic, puppetry and creative workshops.

STEMM (18+) award

Professor Sarah Rankin from London

Professor of Stem Cell Biology at Imperial College London’s National Heart and Lung Institute and a leading advocate for dyslexic scientists.

Thomas Bibb from Telford, Shropshire

Founder of Exascale, Thomas is an entrepreneur working to improve digital connectivity and infrastructure, particularly for rural communities. He has also been nominated for an entrepreneur award.

Tullis Matson, FRAgS, HonDTech, DL from Whitchurch, Shropshire

Managing Director of Stallion AI in Whitchurch, Tullis is a pioneering agricultural technology leader specialising in artificial intelligence and livestock innovation.

Entrepreneur (21+) sponsored by CGR Business Solutions

Anthony Cannan from Ludlow, Shropshire

An entrepreneur and business owner recognised for building successful businesses while creating opportunities for others through his entrepreneurial work.

Nicola Lathey from Cheltenham

Founder and CEO of The Owl Centre in Cheltenham, Nicola is a speech and language therapist who has built a nationwide organisation supporting neurodivergent children, young people and adults.

Editorial insight

This year’s Dyslexia Awards, marking a decade since their inception, continue to highlight the diverse achievements of individuals with dyslexia from across the UK. The event’s national growth reflects a broader recognition of neurodiversity in professional and creative fields, as nominees range from academics and entrepreneurs to artists and community leaders. The inclusion of figures such as a ‘pearly king’ and a circus performer among the finalists underlines the awards’ commitment to celebrating contributions from all walks of life, not just traditional sectors.

For organisations and professionals working in education, employment, or inclusion, the awards provide a timely reminder of the value that neurodiverse talent brings to communities and industries. As awareness of neurodiversity continues to rise, initiatives like these offer practical examples of how individuals can overcome barriers and drive innovation, creativity, and social impact. The event’s shift from a regional to a national platform also signals the growing appetite for recognising and supporting dyslexic achievement across the UK.

Story ideas and journalist angles

Local/community

Celebrating Neurodiversity: The Impact of Dyslexia Awards on Local Communities

Investigate how the Dyslexia Awards have impacted communities like Shropshire and beyond, highlighting stories from local nominees such as Jacob Chandler and Simon Horton.

Target audience local-news Story potential 6/10 Environmental/social impact

Innovative Uses of Sustainable Materials in Construction: A Case Study of ORNA Group

Detail the innovative approach of using Christmas tree biomass for sustainable construction materials, as pioneered by finalist Hugo Knox.

Target audience environment Story potential 8/10