Robin Christopherson Receives MBE from His Royal Highness The Duke of Cambridge

Robin Christopherson MBE, Head of Digital Inclusion at AbilityNet, has recently received an MBE for his services to digital inclusion.

Robin was presented the MBE by His Royal Highness The Duke of Cambridge at Buckingham Palace shortly after it was announced in the New Year Honour’s List.

A founding member of AbilityNet in 1998,  Robin began AbilityNet’s accessibility consultancy team in 2003. The team is now globally acclaimed for its expertise in accessibility auditing and disabled user testing, as well as helping clients design attractive websites and mobile apps that are both accessible and easy to use by all.

The MBE comes shortly after Robin’s winning the Tech4Good Special Award 2016, which recognised his longstanding contribution to inclusive design and digital accessibility.

Robin said:  “Receiving the MBE has meant a huge amount to me. I actually didn’t feel that my work was anything other than a pleasure and an opportunity to tell people about technology and solutions that I already felt very passionate about.

“Having been able to speak to audiences and decision-makers about the power of tech for nearly two decades has been its own reward.

“But receiving this honour is the icing on an otherwise already very tasty cake!”

He continued: “Going to the Palace was an extraordinary experience.

“It was amazing to be surrounded by so many who have made significant contributions to people’s lives across a wide range of areas, and meeting His Royal Highness, The Duke of Cambridge, was incredible.

“He was very interested and well informed. Considering there were over seventy people receiving their honours that day he must have a prodigious memory and really care.”

And Robin remains as humble and passionate as ever about his work in digital inclusion: “I didn’t feel like I personally needed to be recognised as I’ve just felt lucky being able to do what I do.

“But if it will help get the message about how tech can transform people’s lives regardless of their particular abilities then it’ll be an amazing milestone in my life.

“Just enabling more people to hear the phrase ‘digital inclusion’ with regards to my honour will help.

“And if anyone out there would like to feature a news item or blog post on their website about why it’s so important to all users then I’d be delighted to provide more information.”

If you want to write about Robin and the need for inclusive design and digital accessibility you can email Robin at robin.christopherson@abilitynet.org.uk or call him on 0800 269 545 for more information or an interview.

Robin also writes numerous articles on the power of cutting-edge technology on the AbilityNet website.