Active IQ is proud to announce that Oliver Liddle has been shortlisted as a finalist at the Federation of Awarding Bodies (FAB) 2025 Qualifications & Assessment Excellence Awards in the category of Learner of the Year.
This national recognition celebrates outstanding individuals in the field of qualifications and education, and Oliver’s inclusion is a reflection of his unwavering commitment to learning, inclusivity, and the transformative power of sport.
The prestigious awards, now in their 10th year, celebrate the outstanding contributions of UK awarding and assessment organisations to education and skills. Sponsored by Skilltech Solutions, the ceremony will take place on Thursday 27th November in Milton Keynes, following the first day of the FAB Conference.
Oliver, currently completing his Personal Training studies with Sportsability, has already achieved his Active IQ Level 2 Certificate in Gym Instructing, and his journey is nothing short of extraordinary. At age 13, he was diagnosed with cancer, resulting in a life-changing leg amputation.
Rather than letting adversity define him, Oliver rebuilt his confidence and identity through sport – and has since dedicated himself to supporting others through physical activity and education.
Driven by personal experience and a passion to make fitness more inclusive, Oliver founded Unlimbited, a mentoring and coaching initiative for young people with limb loss. Combining technical knowledge with lived experience, he has created bespoke training programmes that empower clients to return to sport, rebuild their strength, and rediscover their confidence.
Jenny Patrickson, Managing Director at Active IQ, expressed her pride in Oliver’s achievements:
“We are incredibly proud of Olly and everything he has achieved so far. His story is one of resilience, purpose, and passion, and he truly is an inspiration to others. We are particularly thrilled that he has recently become one of our ambassadors—his voice and vision will help shape the future of inclusive fitness and support learners across the UK.”
Oliver’s influence extends beyond one-to-one mentoring. He’s actively changing the landscape of the fitness industry by raising awareness of the need for structured, accredited training for those working with disabled clients. His story has featured in The Independent and The Sun, helping to shift public perceptions and increase visibility for qualified instructors with disabilities.
We extend our heartfelt congratulations to Oliver on being a FAB Awards finalist. His journey is proof that qualifications are not just certificates – they are catalysts for change. And with everything he has already accomplished, we are certain this is only the beginning.
We would also like to take this opportunity to congratulate our parent company NCFE – educational charity and leader in vocational and technical learning – on being named as a finalist in five categories at the upcoming FAB 2025 Awards.
The categories for which they’re shortlisted include End-Point Assessment Organisation (EPAO) of the Year, Qualification of the Year and the Innovation Excellence Award, which recognise the contributions and power of collaboration across partnerships, providers and NCFE teams. These nominations are testament to our shared commitment to high-quality, inclusive education – and to the positive impact that collective effort can have on learners and the wider FE community.