Our 2024 MyPlus Annual Reception and Disability Progress Awards was hosted by MyPlus Recruiters’ Club member Herbert Smith Freehills at their fabulous offices behind Liverpool Street Station in Central London. With many of our clients, partners and other guests who work or have an interest in disability employment joining us, the evening commenced with drinks, canapes and some close-up magic from our Magician Dean as people started to arrive.

Alison Matthews from Herbert Smith Freehills kicked off the presentations by welcoming guests and provided an insightful overview into their progression as a disability inclusive employer and how they have worked with MyPlus.

Helen Cooke, Founder and CEO of MyPlus, followed with a presentation which highlighted the challenges facing the progression of disability employment and recognised the successes of MyPlus and some of our clients, interwoven with a thought-provoking story about Helen’s skiing.

It was then time to announce this year’s winners of the MyPlus ‘Disability Progress Awards’! With five categories up for grabs, the winners who demonstrated they are committed to making progress around disability confidence were invited on to the stage to collect their certificate.

This year’s winners were:

Stephenson Harwood for the ‘MyPlus Students’ Club Best Company Profile Award’
Hannah O’Dowd, Accenture for the ‘Most Powerful Personal Story Award’
Adam Dempsey-Doyle, Herbert Smith Freehills for the ‘Best Disability Speaker/Advocate Award’
Maven for ‘Most Progressed Inclusive Recruitment Award’
Herbert Smith Freehills for ‘Business-wide Engagement Award’

Further details and photos are available to view on our MyPlus Disability Progress Awards page.

After the excitement and obligatory photos Dean Leavy, member of The Magic Circle, the world’s most prestigious Magic Club, performed for us. As a former Magic Circle Young Magician of the Year, Dean’s act had our audience mesmerised with his mind-blowing tricks and mind-reading!

Our time in the Herbert Smith Freehills Auditorium concluded with Helen inviting our guests to enjoy the rest of the evening with more drinks, canapes, magic and a chance to network further.

Thank you to everyone who attended, congratulations to our Award winners and a huge thank you to Herbert Smith Freehills for generously hosting the event for us.