Neurodivergent Inclusion in the Workplace Conference

Ashmina is a solicitor specialising in employment law and workplace disputes. She is passionate about providing clear, practical legal advice to both individuals and businesses, helping clients resolve complex issues whilst promoting fair and inclusive practices in the workplace.

Ashmina joined Thrive in December 2021, having qualified as a solicitor in November 2021.

With extensive experience in handling a broad spectrum of employment law matters, she provides expert legal guidance. Her areas of specialisation include advising on unfair and constructive dismissal, ensuring compliance with employment regulations, and offering strategic counsel on discrimination issues. She has a proven track record in negotiating and drafting settlement agreements and represents clients in employment tribunals with a focus on achieving favorable outcomes. In addition to her litigation expertise, she also offers proactive HR support, assisting organisations with policies, employee relations, and ensuring legal compliance in day-to-day operations.

Nelly is the Training Manager at Salvesen Mindroom Centre, with over a decade of experience in neurodiversity across workplace and academic settings. Nelly began her career in inclusive education before moving into workplace support and previously led the Parent and Carer Service at Mindroom’s Family Support Service, supporting families of neurodivergent children and young people.

Driven by lived experience and the voices of those she supports, Nelly leads Mindroom’s neurodiversity training and consultancy, including the flagship Neuroinclusion at Work programme. She delivers talks, workshops, and training across sectors such as education, health and social care, legal, finance, hospitality, recruitment, and the public and third sectors, helping organisations build more inclusive, neuroaffirming cultures.

James works as a subject matter expert in technical operations’ recruitment for Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, while also recruiting for France, at Novartis. Additionally, he is a member of the Novartis global Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) leadership team where he represents Neurodivergent associates. He has had numerous opportunities to speak on DEI matters, including a panel discussion alongside Novartis board members at Novartis headquarters in Switzerland. James is also Co-Lead of the Novartis Disability Support Network for Switzerland. Prior to his pharmaceutical career, James worked in UK politics for a Member of Parliament and senior government minister. He then began his life sciences’ career journey as a recruiter for a major global healthcare recruitment company where he was also co-chair of the Disability Support Network.

Ione is an experienced Occupational Therapist who works part-time as the Advocacy and Therapies Manager at Tourettes Action. She brings a unique combination of professional expertise and personal lived experience to her role, which informs her compassionate and practical approach. Ione designs and delivers evidence-based, CPD-accredited training programmes aimed at improving understanding of Tourette Syndrome in both healthcare and workplace settings. She actively supports individuals with TS, offering guidance, advocacy, and resources to help them navigate challenges. Ione also works closely with healthcare professionals and employers to promote inclusive practices and raise awareness of the condition across various sectors.

Jonathan Holt MBE is a project and operational delivery professional based in HMRC, one of the Civil Service’s largest departments. Over the last 10 years, he has worked to harness the strengths of neurodivergent colleagues and tackle workplace challenges. He’s co-founded and led several groups in the Civil Service, including a network of 1,400 neurodivergent colleagues at HMRC. Committed to improving access for neurodivergent individuals, he sponsored award-winning research on workplace barriers for neurodivergent individuals in an office-based environment. He’s shared his personal neurodiversity journey (dyslexia) with thousands In the UK Civil Service and was awarded an MBE in 2023 for Public Service and Neurodiversity Awareness. His family has a mixture of neurodiversity with autistic children and a sprinkling of likely ADHD.

John is a Sergeant with British Transport Police, having previously served in a variety of frontline roles in Home Office police forces. John’s interest in autism came when he was diagnosed with the condition in his 40’s after several years of service. In 2015 John founded the National Police Autism Association (npaa.org.uk) to support colleagues with a personal, family or professional interest in autism and other neurodivergent conditions, and to promote neurodiversity within policing. The NPAA works alongside the Disabled Police Association and provides direct support to its 3,000 members via the web-based Police Neurodiversity Forum and through a network of local neurodiversity champions.

Hugh is a Diversity and Inclusion Lead with enei (Employers Network for Equality and Inclusion), where he champions genuine inclusion by connecting broad organisational development with individual lived experience. He supports enei members in advancing workplace inclusion through strategic policy development, inclusive practice, and tailored consultancy. With a strong belief in creating environments where everyone can flourish, Hugh brings an intersectional perspective to fostering workplaces that are truly supportive and accessible for neurodivergent colleagues. His background includes significant experience in management within non-profit organisations, always approached with a commitment to equity.

Natalie leads the Business Disability Forum’s Advice Service and oversees the internal upskilling programme for BDF, ensuring that Member/Partner facing teams are continually improving the advice and information they provide. Natalie has an extensive background spanning across operational, commercial and charity sectors in both Human resources and Diversity and Inclusion. Natalie has lived experience herself and through caring for her son who has ADHD, Autism and Dyspraxia.

Natalie leads the Business Disability Forum’s Advice Service and oversees the internal upskilling programme for BDF, ensuring that Member/Partner facing teams are continually improving the advice and information they provide. Natalie has an extensive background spanning across operational, commercial and charity sectors in both Human resources and Diversity and Inclusion. Natalie has lived experience herself and through caring for her son who has ADHD, Autism and Dyspraxia.

Stephanie Camilleri is the founder of the newly formed Empower ADHD which she created after 7 years at the helm of The ADHD Advocate, winner of the 2024 ADHD Empowerment Champion Award (SME Awards). A former City lawyer and SEN Governor turned accredited ADHD coach and trainer, Stephanie is the creator of the 6 Steps to Academic Success programme and the founder of the UK’s first and only ADHD Coaching Summit. She has delivered training to a wide range of settings, from selective schools like St Albans Girls’ School to PRUs such as Ryan Academy, and coached students at schools such as Eton and Channing. A regular speaker at national conferences including the TES SEN Show and EdClass’s Alternative Provision Conference, Stephanie empowers educators with the tools, knowledge and confidence to create inclusive, neuro-affirming environments where students with ADHD can thrive.

Rachael Brown, Policy, Wellbeing and Inclusion Manager for Amey. Rachael is an HR professional who has held various HR roles across the Amey business over the past 16 years. She has also been the Neurodiversity Network chair for over three years, working to improve awareness, acceptance and support for Neurodivergence across Amey.  She is also a mother of two amazing neurodiverse daughters who only increase her passion to achieve neurodiverse inclusion and championing in the workplace.

Kate leads Business in the Community (BITC)’s wellbeing advisory team.  She provides expert advice and information to responsible businesses on how to prioritise people, and so unlock the productivity and performance potential of a thriving workforce.

Kate is responsible for all BITC’s wellbeing advisory products and services, authoring a range of highly successful learning and development products on essential topics such as neurodiversity, menopause, psychological safety, and wellbeing training for people managers  Her work is founded in an intersectional and holistic understanding of workforce wellbeing, in which tackling the root causes of poor mental health at work such as job design, pressure and workload is a vital means of ensuring that employees will be able to make their best contributions.

She has been collaborating closely with BITC’s Wellbeing Leadership Team in the last year to produce the Workwell Self-Assessment Tool.  This free online tool enables businesses to both establish a baseline and benchmark their approach to workforce wellbeing, a key driver of employee recruitment, engagement and retention.

Kate can be found working strategically with clients across a wide range of sectors, including aviation, construction and infrastructure, financial services, retail, and utilities.