OBE honour – founder in ‘total disbelief’

The company has gained international recognition for its premium, injection-moulded prosthetic leg covers, which combine bold design with functionality, helping prosthetic users feel confident and express their individuality.

Speaking about the honour, Dr Williams described the moment he discovered the news as “surreal.”

He said: “I found out quietly, in the most surreal way – a confidential letter marked ‘strictly private’. No fanfare, no build-up… just a moment where you read the words twice to make sure they’re real.

“My first reaction was total disbelief. I sat there with Rachael facing me. There was a long pause, then pride – not just for me, but for everyone who’s been part of the journey: my family, my wife Rachael, the LIMB- art team, and the wider limb-loss community.

“It felt less like a personal award and more like recognition of a message I’ve lived by since losing my leg at 10 years old: focus on what you can do, stand out, and be proud.

“I was incredibly humbled and quietly emotional.”

The former Paralympic swimmer and inspiring entrepreneur, who received an honorary Doctor of Business Administration from Bangor University in 2024, was born in Kearsley Drive, Rhyl. He later lived in Diane Drive for a few years before buying a run-down farm on the Denbigh Moors, Nant-y-Lladron, where LIMB-art operates today.

Dr Mark Williams at the Great British Entrepreneur Awards (Image: Mark Williams)

He was just 10 years old when he was knocked down on 21 June 1982, in Pen y Maes, Rhyl. He had to have his left leg amputated just below the knee, but was determined to make the most of his life.

Dr Williams explained that the OBE means “everything — but not in the way people might expect.”

“The OBE isn’t about a title or a medal. To me, it’s recognition that turning adversity into something positive matters. That losing a leg at 10, choosing pride over pity, and building something that helps others feel confident in their own skin has genuine value.

“It represents every conversation with someone who thought life had narrowed after limb loss – and then realised it hadn’t. Every late night building LIMB-art, every risk taken, every ‘what if this helps just one person?’ moment.

“Most of all, it’s a tribute to the people around me – my wife Rachael, who turns my chaos into clarity, my family, our incredible team, and the wider amputee community who constantly remind me why this work matters.

“If this honour helps even one person feel prouder of who they are or what they’ve overcome, then it’s done its job.”

Losing his left leg at the age of 10 reshaped the direction Dr Williams’ life was taking.

He explained: “After a car accident, I learned early that resilience isn’t about what you lose, but how you choose to move forward. Sport became my proving ground, taking me from a shy schoolboy to the Paralympic stage, where I learned discipline, belief, and the power of being proud of who you are.

“Years later, that same mindset led to a moment that changed everything. In 2017, a child stopped me in a supermarket to tell me how cool my prosthetic leg looked. I’d customised it myself – bright, bold, unapologetic. That simple interaction sparked a realisation: prosthetics didn’t have to be hidden or purely medical. They could be expressive. They could give confidence. They could help people stand out, not blend in.

“In 2018, that idea became LIMB-art.”

LIMB-art has grown into a global brand, with its prosthetic leg covers worn across the UK and internationally. The company’s mission has been recognised with numerous accolades, including the 2025 Global Entrepreneur of the Year award for Wales at the Great British Entrepreneur Awards, and an Export Award from the UK Government.

One of the “most personal and memorable moments” of 2025 for Dr Williams was meeting Prince William.

“I told him that I lost my left leg on 21 June 1982, the very day he was born. It was one of those full-circle moments that stopped me in my tracks, reflecting just how far the journey has come.”

Dr Williams said: “LIMB-art’s prosthetic leg covers help people reclaim confidence, identity, and pride. For many users, it’s the first time they’ve felt excited about their prosthesis rather than defined by it.”

Dr Williams and his wife Rachael, who have been together for 15 years and married since 2018, run the business together. The couple have two children, Rhiannon and Rhys, and Rachael has two children, Dave and Frazer.

“It’s incredibly special — and something I never take for granted,” Dr Williams said.

“I get to share the highs, the pressures, the risks and the wins with the person who knows me best. Rachael brings balance to my ideas, calm to my chaos, and a level of organisation and clarity that turns vision into reality.

“What we’ve built simply wouldn’t exist without her.

“As for the OBE — she’s immensely proud, and that means more to me than the honour itself. She knows the full story: the setbacks, the self- doubt, the late nights, the weight of responsibility. She’s seen the journey from the inside, not just the outcomes. I think she sees the award not as a single moment, but as recognition of a lifetime of resilience, purpose, and impact.”

Looking ahead, Dr Williams said 2026 will be a year of global growth for LIMB-art, including a global exhibition in Leipzig aimed at

expanding distribution and making their products available to prosthetic users worldwide.

Reflecting on his journey, Dr Williams offered advice to his 10-year- old self:

“I’d kneel down beside him and say, ‘I know you’re scared. I know everything feels unfair, and right now you can’t imagine how this ends. But this isn’t the end of your story – it’s the beginning of a much bigger one.’

“I’d tell him that losing a leg won’t take away your future — it will give you a purpose. That the things making you feel different today will one day help thousands of people feel confident, proud, and seen. That sport will teach you discipline, failure, and belief. That one day you’ll build something that helps others stop hiding and start standing tall.

“I’d tell him he’ll meet a woman who believes in him completely, who’ll turn his chaos into clarity, and who’ll walk beside him as they build something meaningful together. That he’ll share his story with world leaders, be trusted with responsibility, and be recognised not for what he lost – but for what he created.

“And finally, I’d say this – ‘Be proud of who you are – even before the world understands why. One day, this moment will help you change lives.'”