Transreport’s Director of Engagement named Global Accessibility and Inclusion Leader of the Year
Emma Partlow, Director of Engagement at Transreport, accessibility technology firm, has been named Global Accessibility and Inclusion Leader of the Year, as part of SME News’ 2025 Visionary Leadership Award.
The Visionary Leadership Awards celebrate esteemed professionals who are shaping the future of UK business, through vision, resilience, and purposeful leadership. Winners are chosen through a merit selection process, and nominees are evaluated based on set criteria that includes the achievement of significant milestones and evidence to prove strong business performance.
Emma has spent over a decade researching the lives of Disabled people, with a particular focus on the impact of policy and legislation. She combines professional experience in the transport industry, with accessibility expertise, along with her lived experience of Disability, to dismantle systemic barriers and create accessible travel for all.
Since joining Transreport in 2023, Emma has championed community and industry engagement, ensuring Disabled and older travellers contribute to the company’s inclusive digital platform. Promoted to Director of Engagement in 2025, she continues to amplify voices too often overlooked in transport innovation, driving collaboration and feedback loops that strengthen both product and policy.
In addition to this award, Emma is listed in The Shaw Trust’s Disability Power 100, which spotlights the UK’s most influential Disabled leaders. Her recognition in the Transport, Retail, Service and Hospitality category underscores her dedication to transforming accessible travel and tourism, and to building a future where inclusion is prioritised worldwide.
Transreport’s Passenger Assistance technology is transforming accessible travel across the globe, with over 8 million journeys already empowered for people with access needs around the globe.
As Director of Engagement, Emma spearheaded the launch of Transreport’s Community Network – an initiative created to strengthen the company’s feedback loops with Disabled and older people, and people with access needs.
In response to receiving her award, Emma Partlow said, “it is an honour to be named Global Accessibility and Inclusion Leader of the Year 2025. I’ve experienced a personal evolution, from concealing my impairments in my younger years, to proudly advocating for change through strategic leadership at Transreport with my lived experiences and expertise at the forefront.
I look forward to collaborating with more business and industry leaders to help them adopt a human, person-centred approach that goes beyond compliance, towards inclusive practice that leads to systemic change.”
Transreport was honoured with a King’s Award for Enterprise, in the category of Innovation.
