Claire Roberts

Temporary paralysis and emergency spinal surgery put Claire Roberts on the path to running a pilates business to help others recover and feel better in their bodies.

Her nominator for the Entrepreneur of the Year award, sponsored by Rabbits Vehicle Hire, said: “Claire’s story didn’t begin with a business plan — it began in a hospital bed.

“After years of battling severe back pain, Claire suddenly became temporarily paralysed and required emergency spinal fusion surgery. During her recovery, an NHS physiotherapist introduced her to Pilates – and it proved life-changing. What began as a vital part of her healing soon became her passion and purpose.”

Pilates didn’t just help Claire rebuild her strength – it gave her purpose, said her nominator. Determined to help others with back pain experience the same transformation, she retrained as an instructor, travelling regularly from Lower Earley to London for her qualifications.

In 2007, she launched Power of Pilates with just a few mats and a hired church hall – but demand quickly grew, and Claire soon opened a dedicated studio in Lower Earley, Reading, built on her mission to help people move, recover, and feel better in their bodies.

“When Covid hit, Claire refused to let her community fall apart. She moved classes online, stayed connected with her clients, and kept people moving through the darkest days of lockdown,” said her nominator.

“Despite the enormous challenges of those two years, she not only kept her business alive – she grew it.”

Claire runs the business entirely herself – no marketing team, no business managers, no accountants, no admin staff – while managing a team of 10 instructors, they added.”Claire handles every detail, from teaching, scheduling and client care to social media and studio operations.”

In 2025, Power of Pilates was named Best Pilates Studio in Berkshire.

Now, Claire’s studio has reached national and international recognition as one of just four approved BASI host training studios in the UK, training the next generation of Pilates instructors in Reading.

“Claire’s resilience, determination, and commitment to others make her more than just a business owner – she is a role model, a mentor, and a force for good in the Reading community.

“For her incredible journey from recovery to impact, and for building something truly extraordinary with heart and grit, Claire deserves to be recognised as Entrepreneur of the Year.”