The Minister for Social Security and Disability, the Rt Hon Sir Stephen Timms MP, has appointed nine new Disability and Access Ambassadors to support businesses in improving accessibility for disabled customers and employees.
Among the appointees is Eddie Grant (pictured above), who will represent the insurance sector. Grant is a non-executive director of the Personal Finance Society, a past president, and its longest-serving non-executive board member.
He also serves on the board of the European Financial Planning Association and is vice-president of the Insurance Institute of London.
The ambassadors work to improve accessibility and the quality of services and facilities within their sectors. The roles are voluntary, with a maximum term of three years, and are supported by the Disability Unit, part of the Office for Equality and Opportunity.
Grant’s appointment comes as the insurance sector continues to engage in initiatives aimed at improving access for disabled consumers. This includes the renewal of the Access to Protection industry agreement in September 2023, which has, since 2020, directed over 30,000 enquiries from customers with medical conditions or disabilities to specialist providers of life, critical illness, and income protection insurance.
The government’s recruitment framework for ambassadors highlights the potential economic impact of better accessibility, pointing to the £274 billion annual spending power of disabled households—the so‑called “purple pound.”
In addition, Insurance Business has previously reported that a lack of representation at senior levels – cited by 96% of surveyed female leaders – underscores the broader challenges in achieving diversity, inclusion, and accessibility in financial services.
The ambassador programme as a whole has previously supported a range of initiatives across sectors, from developing inclusive design guidance and improving transport service standards to creating rural access schemes and advancing arts participation opportunities, showing the potential for tangible outcomes over a three‑year tenure.
“Both personally and professionally, I’m acutely aware of the barriers many disabled people face. That awareness drives my unwavering commitment to championing meaningful, lasting change across our profession,” Grant said.
Grant also said progress has been made through efforts such as the Chartered Insurance Institute’s vulnerability roundtables and findings from the FCA Financial Lives survey, but more remains to be done to create opportunities and deliver better outcomes for all clients.
“Over the coming months, I look forward to listening to and collaborating with professionals across insurance and financial planning. Together, we can continue to unlock opportunities and deliver outstanding client outcomes creating lasting change for disabled customers and employees,” he said.
Other disability and access ambassadors
What are your thoughts on this story? Please feel free to share your comments below.
