Josh Wintersgill

The last 18 months have been a whirlwind in the air with my aviation hat on!

Since COVID, I’ve managed to build ableMove into a £100k revenue business, and we are in the process of bringing to market a new moving and handling sling for airlines and airports.

The aviation industry still lacks appropriate rights for passengers with disabilities. Last year, Sophie Morgan and I co-founded Rights on Flights, a global campaign advocating for changes in these rights in air travel. At the same time, I support easyJet, UK CAA, Heathrow Airport and Cornwall Airport Accessibility Advisory groups.

I recently set up another business in Canada in collaboration with Sandra Gualtieri called ableFly. A business designed to bring new alternative seating solutions for air travel. We successfully landed $500,000 from Transport Canada to develop the business over the next two years.

Early in 2024, I also launched the #knownobounds campaign to raise awareness of the lack of outdoor accessibility for wheelchair users. The campaign raised £40k in five months and included a climb up Snowden with my good friend Maxwell McKnight. The money raised will go towards purchasing all-terrain wheelchairs for people with disabilities to explore the great outdoors.

I also led and delivered an international awards programme with Open Inclusion, across US, Canada, UK, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand celebrating the low frugal innovative hacks across the disability community, presenting the winners at the UN in Vienna.

Lastly, away from business and campaigning. I am an avid air rifle shooter. I have secured my spot on the British Talent Pathway Programme, with the LA 2028 Paralympic games firmly in sight.

Advice when starting out: “Put can’t in your pocket and pull out try”

What motivates you: Time

What you want others to share from your success: Let your imagination run wild, and don’t ignore your instincts!