The 2024 Epic Young Entrepreneur Awards took place on 18th October, with The Leadership Coaches being one of the sponsors on the night.
This was the third year of these awards, set up by Epic, a charity that is based and run from Birmingham.
The Epic Awards are a platform to celebrate and recognise the achievements of young people, especially those who have faced adversity and found success. The Leadership Coaches were sponsors of one of the awards.
Alongside this, The Leadership Coaches CEO, Zoé Lewis, is also a mentor on the programme as well, something she volunteered to do after feeling a strong affinity for the work that Epic does.
Zoé said: “It’s vital to support young entrepreneurs, and even more so those who have had a rocky start in life. We might be in 2024, but the playing field is still far from even, and I love the work Epic continues to do to bring opportunities to those who have faced significant adversity.”
The award category that The Leadership Coaches sponsored was Entrepreneur of the Year: People’s Choice. The winner was Charlie Ferriman, co-founder of Neurodiversity Global Workshops and a passionate advocate for neuroinclusion. The public recognition of the award winner is a huge accolade to his achievements.
At just 20 years old, Charlie is a neurodivergent champion, advocate, and campaigner for all those who live with neurodivergent conditions such as ADHD, dyslexia, autism and
dyspraxia. Having personally navigated the challenges of being neurodivergent, and having
witnessed the sometimes very difficult effects that multiple co-occurring conditions had on
his younger brother especially, in a world that often misunderstands those who think
differently, Charlie’s mission is to create environments that embrace and empower
neurodiverse individuals.
Charlie Ferriman commented: “Winning this award is not just a personal achievement, it’s a
victory for the neurodiverse community. We’re proving that neurodivergent individuals can
lead, inspire, and drive change. I’m incredibly proud of the work we’re doing at
Neurodiversity Workshops, and this recognition only strengthens our resolve to keep
pushing forward.”
Reflecting on the night, Zoé said: “The event was both inspiring and humbling, showcasing the resilience of individuals who have faced significant adversity yet persevered to become founders of new companies.
“Many of these ventures align closely with the founders' personal journeys and lived experiences. The Epic programme is expertly designed, offering a comprehensive blend of courses, mentoring and financial support to help these entrepreneurs launch their businesses.
“Special recognition goes to the team behind Epic – Calum Sawford (CEO), Marc Pearson (Community Engagement Manager), and Lisa Floyd (Program Co-ordinator) – for their outstanding efforts in delivering programmes that empower individuals to build sustainable, thriving businesses.”
For more information on the winner, please visit www.neurodiversityworkshops.co.uk, and for more information on Epic visit www.epicfuture.co.uk.
