Steven and Judith Mifsud, founders and owners of Direct Access Group—the leading global accessibility consulting firm based in Nantwich, UK—have sold the company’s U.S. operations to Matrix Design Group, a U.S.-based, nationally recognised, employee-owned interdisciplinary engineering, design, and consultancy firm. This acquisition will strengthen Direct Access’s vision and commitment to creating environments that work for all.
The award-winning U.S. arm of Direct Access will continue as a wholly owned subsidiary of Matrix Design Group under the leadership of Steven Mifsud MBE, Founder and President. Having successfully collaborated on numerous projects, Matrix and Direct Access share a strong alignment of values—now formalised through this acquisition. The two organisations are currently working together on ADA Transition Plans for the City of Scottsdale, Arizona, among other initiatives.
Direct Access was founded with a mission to make inclusion an integral part of the built environment rather than an afterthought. Under the leadership of Steven Mifsud MBE, the firm grew from its UK roots to deliver transformative projects across the United States, Europe, and the Middle East—reshaping global understanding and implementation of accessibility. The company has advised clients in sectors including housing, municipalities, hospitality, airports, retail, and theme parks, designing spaces that meet the needs of all users, including disabled individuals, older adults, parents with children, and anyone who benefits from improved accessibility. Direct Access contributed to the accessibility framework for the United Nations COP28 conference and several leading municipal accessibility plans across the U.S. Through its team of disabled experts, the firm has enhanced services for disabled communities in Texas, Vermont, Pennsylvania, and many other states.
In the UK, Direct Access continues to collaborate with leading architectural firms and has provided accessibility audits for over twenty-one years. Most recently, The University of Brighton recognised Direct Access CEO Steven Mifsud MBE’s achievements, rewarding him with an Honorary Doctor of Arts.
As part of the acquisition, Steven Mifsud MBE will resign from his current role as Chief Executive Officer of Direct Access to become Chairman of the Direct Access Board of Directors. Steven will soon begin working directly with Matrix Design Group, while UK-based Direct Access continues to operate independently, delivering its services across the UK and Europe. Commenting on this next chapter in Direct Access’s history, Steven stated that it will ‘ensure that impact continues to grow across the US and the rest of the world.
As a disability-owned and disability-inclusive employer, Direct Access has built a business model aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, prioritising economic empowerment and social impact within the accessibility sector. Under Matrix’s ownership, the firm will continue to go from strength to strength in pursuit of its vision of creating an accessible America for all.
“Direct Access has been an exceptional partner on our ADA projects,” said Sal Nodjomian, CEO of Matrix. “By bringing them fully into our family, we strengthen Matrix’s services and capabilities, enabling us to deliver innovative, thoughtful solutions that meet the evolving needs of our clients across multiple industries.”