Bruntwood Becomes Corporate Member of Neurodiversity in Business

As a key part of Bruntwood's purpose to create thriving cities, we are committed to doing all we can to build a fairer society. So, as a large-scale employer in our cities, we feel a duty to provide a platform for all voices in the workplace. That’s why we’re proud to announce that we’ve joined a new initiative called Neurodiversity in Business (NiB).

Neurodiversity is defined as the concept that everyone experiences their surroundings in different ways, affecting the way they interact with the world around them. The idea is that there is no ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ way of learning, behaving, thinking or encountering the world. Those whose brains function and process information in the way that society expects are described as ‘neurotypical’. But it is estimated that more than 15% of people in the UK are neurodivergent, meaning that they learn and process information differently. In real terms, around 1 in 7 people in the workplace are neurodivergent.

Launched as a national charity in March of 2022, NiB is an industry forum to support the participation of neurodivergent individuals in the workplace. It supports neurodivergent colleagues to navigate independent and fulfilling careers, helps businesses to access neurodivergent talent, and introduces neuroinclusive policies.

Championing neurodiversity in the workplace not only gives neurodiverse individuals the opportunity to forge their own career paths, but allows businesses to draw upon unique perspectives and encourages diversity of thought. 

The organisation, led by CEO Dan Harris, draws upon the cumulative knowledge of neurodivergent experts and leading companies to share best practice and improve the employment experience for a neurodivergent workforce. With the help and advice of the forum, we can develop our spaces and working practices to create a better working experience for everyone.

Dan said, “Since our launch in March 2022, Neurodiversity in Business has secured cross-party parliamentary support and is working with over 300 organisations. Together, we’re working to: introduce neuroinclusive policies and operational practices to recruit and retain neurodivergent talent, to improve social mobility and reduce the amount of people feeling marginalised within the neurodiverse community.

"Working with fantastic organisations like Bruntwood, we will highlight the competitive advantage brought to business by employing and supporting neurodivergent individuals. Recognising the benefit to our economy of having skilled, creative and innovative thinkers in the workplace is important - but neurodiversity is so much more than good business.”

 Joining NiB is part of our commitment to help make Bruntwood a more diverse and inclusive place to work, representative of the cities that we live and work in. 

 Emily Mathew, Social Impact Project Manager at Bruntwood, echoed Dan’s comments. “There’s an obvious commercial benefit to any business with a diverse workforce, but more importantly we want people to come to work and feel valued. We want them to love the work that they do and get a sense of satisfaction and fulfilment in their working lives. We want them to build successful, enjoyable and rewarding careers. This should be a right, not a privilege - and in order to make it such, the opportunity to thrive must be open to all.

“Working with NiB will really provide us with some invaluable expertise to refine our systems and processes, and make our working culture truly neuroinclusive, so that the employment experience of neurodivergent people at Bruntwood is the best that it can be.”

Click here to find out more about how we celebrate diversity & inclusion at Bruntwood. And keep your eye on our careers page for the latest opportunities to join our team.