Direct Access Founder Steven Mifsud Appointed MBE in Queens Birthday Honours List 2021

Steven Mifsud, the founder of Direct Access has been appointed an MBE for services to International Trade in the Queen’s 2021 Birthday Honours list.

Steven has led Direct Access to international export success sharing British innovation and expertise in creating accessible environments all around the world.

The award recognises Steven’s work with the UK’s Department of International Trade to raise awareness of how small businesses and entrepreneurs can access government support to export. This may include grants to support trade show attendance, introduction to prospective buyers, and information about import and export requirements.

Steven has been twice in the Shaw Trust UK’s top 100 most influential disabled people list and was his hometown Nantwich’s Salt of the Earth award recipient in 2019 for services to the community. Steven and Direct Access were the UK Department of International Trade Northwest Export Champions for both 2020 and 2021.

“I am shocked and delighted to be honoured with an MBE. Ever since I left University my career has been driven by a desire to make the world more inclusive for disabled people. Other countries were very receptive to learning from the British experience in creating accessible environments and the legislation involved,” said Steven. “We have been working very closely with the Department of International Trade and British partnerships to maximise opportunities around the world.”

“It has been an honour to work with other small businesses in the UK thinking about exporting. If I as a deaf person can successfully export, then what is stopping them?”

More can be read here at the UK Government website.