The Loo of the Year Awards announce Paralympic champion as keynot speaker at award ceremony

Paralympic champion, Chris Hunt Skelley MBE will be the keynote speaker for the 2026 Loo of the Year Awards taking place at the National Motorcycle Museum in Solihull in January next year.

Chris is a former world number one and Paralympic judo champion and has carved out an extraordinary legacy in sport. Chris became a global force in judo with a world number one ranking, and a Paralympic gold medal in Tokyo 2020 and bronze in Paris 2024.

He is one of the most decorated and successful athletes in his field and retired from competitive visually impaired judo earlier this year. He is an avid motivational speaker, judo teacher, and disability advocate.

The Loo of the Year Awards, now in their 38th year, honour the very best in ‘away from home’ washroom provision. Every pub, restaurant, hotel, shopping centre, garden centre, caravan and campsite, office building or public facility which enters agrees to an independent inspection to ‘grade’ the quality of their loos. Each year, the best of the best are celebrated in their day-long event.

Becky Wall BEM, CEO of Loo Of The Year Awards, spoke about announcing Chris as keynote speaker.

“We are absolutely delighted to welcome Chris Hunt Skelley MBE as the keynote speaker at the Loo Of The Year Awards this January. Having Chris join us is not only an incredible honour, but a powerful opportunity to amplify the message at the very heart of our work: that accessibility matters for everyone. Chris represents the ability to rise above challenges and push for a more inclusive world. His journey reminds us that the right support, opportunities, and accessible environments can make all the difference, not just in sport, but in everyday life.”

Chris’ keynote speech will cover his empowering journey to paralympic champion, and touch on the importance of toilets and washrooms for people with disabilities. Something he has experienced throughout his life as someone with visual impairment, but also since his recent diagnosis of coeliac disease.

“It’s a huge honour to speak at the Loo Of The Year Awards. It means a lot to share my story,” commented Chris Hunt Skelley MBE. “Business people and athletes are very similar; they are elite in what they do and it’s important to tell stories of struggles and the hurdles life throws at you. They know not to give in and see failure as an opportunity to do things a different way. I’m very thankful to be invited, meet people and share my story.”

This will the first time Chris will be the keynote speaker at the Loo of the Year Awards.

“We believe Chris will do more than inspire our audience, he will empower them. His presence will encourage everyone in the room to think differently, to act boldly, and to consider how their spaces and services can become more inclusive,” continued Becky. “At its core, this event is about celebration; but also, education, progress, and raising awareness. And with Chris Hunt Skelley MBE taking the stage, we know that message will be delivered with authenticity, passion, and impact.”

Central to The Loo Of The Year awards is a grading scheme where entrants agree to receive an unannounced visit from an inspector and each washroom is judged on upon 101 criteria which include cleanliness, décor, signage, accessibility and customer care.

This year, businesses and organisations will be inspected across the summer (entries close on July 31) and then best will be celebrated at the annual Loo of the Year Awards. The highest grading is 'diamond’, then it goes in descending order of ‘platinum plus’, ‘platinum’, ‘gold’, ‘silver’, and finally, ‘bronze’.

Nominations for Loo of the Year Awards 2025 are open now; you can nominate a public washroom for high-quality washroom facilities here: https://www.loo.co.uk/190/Entry-Form