Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannau, of easyGroup presented the £50,000 prize to Andrew.

Sir Stelios said: “I am passionate about encouraging the enterprising spirit and working with Leonard Cheshire Disability to set up the Stelios Award for Disabled Entrepreneurs.

“I would like to congratulate Andrew, he runs a successful business and displays the drive, creativity and determination to reach the top and really fly. The £50,000 prize will ensure Sign-now.com has a great platform for growth.

“With around 50 percent of disabled adults out of work, removing the barriers disabled people face in business is essential. Self-employment is a more viable option for many disabled people as it offers flexibility and helps bypass much of the prejudice that sadly still exists amongst employers.”

Andrew Thomson said: “It's a great honour to have won this fantastic award and to have Sign-now.com recognised in this way.

There are only 25 full time BSL interpreters in Scotland for 7,000 sign language users, this places a huge demand for skilled communicators. With an online facility like Sign-now.com it gives those with hearing impairments the opportunity to access an interpreter quickly and easily.

“The £50,000 will be used to expand Sign-now.com which will mean we can grow our business, to reach our new clients and expand our services to existing customers. We will also develop a new product called Sign-now Broadcast, that will enable any conference to display their gathering on the net and for members to pay for it online. My main priority is to increase Sign-now.com’s awareness across public service providers and get them to buy a Sign-now.com Licence.

“For the business to grow, it is all about gaining the confidence of not only of our clients but the trust and support of the interpreters we employ. I believe that a positive approach is the way to overcome the fear, prejudice and misconception that often stand in the way of disabled people."

Anna Cooper, Leonard Cheshire Disability Corporate Development Manager said: “Disabled people in business experience disadvantage and discrimination every day, largely through ignorance, and this needs to change.

“Our partnership with Sir Stelios is helping the charity highlight the barriers disabled people face in the workplace and recognise the outstanding achievement of disabled entrepreneurs. Leonard Cheshire Disability leads the way with innovative initiatives and campaigns that challenge people to change the way they see disability, and this award plays a big part in this.

Neville Reyner, President of the British Chamber of Commerce, added: “We are delighted to partner with Leonard Cheshire Disability and Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannau on this award. Andrew is not just an exceptional example for all current and budding disabled entrepreneurs; he is an inspiration to anyone in business. Andrew joins the other winners of the Chamber Awards 2008 in representing the best that UK business has to offer.”