Phil Friend (OBE FRSA) himself a wheelchair user, is acknowledged as the UK's foremost consultant on disability matters. A powerful and highly popular communicator, his company – Phil & Friends - provides consultancy to many of the country's best-known companies. In addition to his professional activities, he is also a respected champion for equal opportunities and diversity in general, where his special blend of humour and direct speaking has won admirers from around the world.
He has made many board presentations and speeches and provided consultancy on a wide range of disability and diversity related topics in the UK. He has also worked on disability and diversity projects in Estonia, Romania, Poland, Germany, Canada and the USA. He was awarded an OBE in 2001 for services to equal opportunities and disabled people and made a Fellow of the Royal Society for the Arts in February 2007.
He is a Director of Dining with a Difference and The All Inclusive Dining Club. Phil is also very active with a number of voluntary organisations. He is the Chair of Royal Association for Disability Rights (RADAR) and Vice President of the National Association of Disabled Supporters (NADS), a former member of the National Employment Panel, and a member of the Association of Disabled Professionals.
He was awarded an honorary Doctor of Science (Hon Dsc) in 2009 in recognition of his outstanding contribution to equality and diversity from University of Hertfordshire.
He is also an Associate of the Employers’ Forum on Disability and a Trustee of Ricability and the Grass Roots Foundation, a Churchill Fellow and a former chair of the Independent Advisory Group for Surrey Police.
Phil has had a number of articles published and is a regular contributor on national/local television and radio, he has also appeared in several video productions commissioned by Sky, the Employer’s Forum on Disability, various Tourist Boards and Angel Productions.