Who Was Recognised
Helen Pugh, a Shropshire-based entrepreneur, has been named as one of the UK’s 100 most inspiring female founders for 2026 in the Small Business Britain f:Entrepreneur #IAlso100 campaign. (Shropshire Star)
About Helen Pugh
- Based in Shropshire, Helen is the founder of Ablepreneurs® and Helen Pugh Business Solutions. (Shropshire Star)
- Ablepreneurs® is a UK-wide platform aimed at supporting entrepreneurs, freelancers and creatives with disabilities and chronic health conditions, focusing on inclusion, wellbeing, community and business growth. (Shropshire Live)
- Helen founded her businesses in 2022 and 2025 and has grown them while managing her own long-term health challenges, making her recognition especially meaningful. (Shropshire Star)
Why She Was Recognised
- Helen’s inclusion in the #IAlso100 list celebrates her leadership, resilience and positive impact across business and community. (Shropshire Star)
- The campaign highlights 100 exceptional female entrepreneurs from across the UK who are driving innovation, supporting communities, and growing successful enterprises. (Shropshire Star)
- Her work with Ablepreneurs® notably promotes accessible business support and empowerment for under-represented entrepreneurs. (Shropshire Live)
About the f:Entrepreneur #IAlso100 Campaign
- Launched by Small Business Britain, the initiative aims to celebrate and elevate female founders’ achievements, offering visibility, role models and networking opportunities for women in business. (Shropshire Star)
- It includes events, training, and promotional features across the UK small business community. (Shropshire Star)
Additional Recognition
- In addition to the f:Entrepreneur accolade, Helen also secured a Theo Paphitis Small Business Sunday (#SBS) award, further raising her profile on the national stage. (Shropshire Live)
- Here’s a case-study focused look at the Shropshire entrepreneur recognised among the UK’s leading female founders in 2026, including specific examples, community impact and comments from key people involved in the recognition. (Shropshire Star)
Case Study — Helen Pugh (Ablepreneurs® & Helen Pugh Business Solutions)
Background & Mission
Helen Pugh is a business owner from Shropshire who was chosen as one of the UK’s 100 most inspiring female founders for 2026 in the Small Business Britain f:Entrepreneur #IAlso100 campaign — a national initiative highlighting female entrepreneurs with impactful business journeys. (Shropshire Star)
She is founder of:
- Helen Pugh Business Solutions — supporting small businesses in the property sector.
- Ablepreneurs® — a UK-wide platform and movement designed to empower entrepreneurs, freelancers and creatives living with disabilities or chronic health conditions through accessible support, community and resources. (Shropshire Star)
This case is particularly notable because it combines business growth with social impact — targeting groups often underserved by traditional entrepreneurial support structures. (Shropshire Live)
Case Examples of Impact
Case Study 1 — Ablepreneurs® Support Model
Challenge:
Disabled or chronically ill founders often lack accessible networking, business tools and community that accommodate wellbeing alongside business demands. (Shropshire Live)Solution:
Ablepreneurs® was launched to:- Provide tailored resources (guides, templates, resilience strategies)
- Build peer support networks
- Promote inclusive entrepreneurship where wellbeing matters as much as growth
Helen incorporated her lived experience of long-term health challenges into the platform’s design, ensuring it meets real, day-to-day needs of its members. (Shropshire Live)
Outcome:
Early adoption shows community engagement outside formal business networks, providing a supportive ecosystem for often isolated founders.Helen’s comment on the launch:
“Ablepreneurs® is more than a business — it’s a movement… for people to feel seen, supported and celebrated, with wellbeing valued just as much as ambition.” (Shropshire Live)
Case Study 2 — Recognition & National Profile Boost
Achievement:
Helen’s inclusion in the national #IAlso100 campaign puts her and her work alongside other influential female founders across the UK. (Shropshire Star)Outcome:
- Broader visibility among UK business communities.
- Invitation to events, networking, and training through the f:Entrepreneur programme.
- Adds credibility for future partnerships and funding opportunities. (Shropshire Star)
This national recognition now complements another accolade she recently earned — a Theo Paphitis Small Business Sunday (#SBS) award — which further amplifies her profile and brings additional validation and support to her work. (Shropshire Live)
Comments from Key Figures
Helen Pugh (Founder)
“Being featured in this year’s #IAlso100 is an incredible honour. It recognises not just my work, but the resilience and brilliance of disabled and chronically ill entrepreneurs across the UK. Ablepreneurs® was born from lived experience…”
— Reflects how personal challenges informed the mission and vision of Ablepreneurs®. (Shropshire Star)Michelle Ovens CBE (Small Business Britain CEO & Founder)
“It is brilliant to feature Helen Pugh of Ablepreneurs® in this year’s #IAlso100 campaign. All of the female entrepreneurs in this year’s line-up are inspirational and remarkable role models.”
— Underscores the campaign’s aim: to elevate role models who demonstrate creativity, leadership and community impact. (Shropshire Star)
Why This Matters
Small Business Britain’s #IAlso100 campaign is not just about commercial success. It deliberately highlights founders who balance business growth with community benefit, role-model leadership, and resilience despite obstacles. It’s part of a broader strategy to boost visibility and support for women entrepreneurs, acknowledging that women often face extra barriers around funding, confidence and visibility compared with male counterparts. (Startups Magazine)
Key Takeaways
Aspect Impact Business Growth Helen’s work supports entrepreneurs across the UK. (Shropshire Live) Social Contribution Promotes inclusion, wellbeing, accessible entrepreneurship. (Shropshire Live) Recognition Featured in nationwide #IAlso100 list — raises visibility and opens doors. (Shropshire Star) Community Influence Encourages other disabled/chronically ill entrepreneurs to pursue business goals. (Shropshire Live)