Name: Inclusive Leadership
Price: 534 GBP
Availability: InStock

icrs central london hub

London

We are the UK’s professional body for Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability (CRS). Our mission is to help individuals and organisations be brilliant at CRS. Who we are As the UK's professional body for CRS practitioners, our membership reflects the breadth of practitioners, from students and academics to consultants and in-house practitioners from large and small organisations. The Institute is led by a Board of volunteer Directors. Comprised of senior CRS professionals, they give their time, energy, and expertise to guide the Institute's strategic direction. We also involve technical specialists where required. The Institute is supported by a Secretariat provided by Carnstone Partners Ltd, a specialist management consultancy in the CRS field. The Secretariat manage the day-to-day activity and act as the central point of contact for our members and Fellows. The ICRS Board Chair Jennie Galbraith, ESG Director, Inflexion Vice-Chair Victoria Taylor, Managing Director, Flag Vice-Chair Robbie Epsom, EMEA Head of ESG, CBRE Investment Management Director Dr Sam Healy, Group Director ESG, QinetiQ Director Dr Dorothy Maxwell, Senior Director Sustainability, Davy Horizons Director Karin Mueller, Managing Director, Liebfrog Director Jatin Patel, Head of Diversity and Inclusion, England Rugby Director Andrew Wilson, Director and Head of Responsible Business, Lexington Director Nadia Al Yafai, Head of Mutuality and Social Impact (Purpose Lead), Royal London Jennie Galbraith "I am delighted and honoured to be appointed Chair of the ICRS at this critical time for our profession. As sustainability issues have risen up the global political and corporate agendas, our roles as practitioners have only grown, both in scope and importance. This is a really exciting time to be involved in sustainability and I look forward to working with the Board to ensure that we continue to drive our profession forward and support our members to be brilliant at what they do." Victoria Taylor "This is such a fast-moving and critical time for sustainability within business and society. I am super excited to become Vice Chair of the ICRS – an organisation leading the way for CRS practitioners and the continued establishment of our profession. CRS needs more talented individuals and ambitious companies to be focused on progressing sustainability, and I am thrilled to be a part of what the ICRS has already achieved and can and will achieve" Robbie Epsom "After two years of serving as a Board Director at ICRS, I’m excited to be allowed to continue my support as co-Vice Chair of the Board. As sustainability continues to rise up the agenda, CRS professionals are increasingly taking up senior and influential roles within organisations. I’m delighted to be part of a leading professional body helping individuals and organisations to excel at CRS; their leadership will be crucial in the transition to a sustainable economy.” Dr Sam Healy "There has been a seismic shift in the importance of responsible and sustainable business practice. Climate change, human rights, and diversity and inclusion are becoming critical business enablers. And so now, more than ever, it’s vital that practitioners feel supported - through the development of their skills and knowledge and the forging of their network. I’m proud to serve on the Board and excited to be part of shaping our profession for the challenges and opportunities ahead." Karin Mueller "My passion is developing great leaders. Leaders that can effectively challenge the status quo, inspire others, and make a real difference within organisations in an increasingly fast changing, complex and volatile world. I am delighted to contribute to the success of the Institute as we help our members excel at doing just that, by providing access to the latest thinking, training, debates, mentoring, a resourceful network, and much more." Jatin Patel "The ICRS is operating in an environment filled with opportunities and challenges. Being a Director, and more importantly, being at the forefront of facilitating discussions which address the climate crisis, the importance of corporate responsibility and building inclusivity into the approaches which tackle these issues is a great honour and one I do not take lightly. And only through collaboration can we make collective gains. Collaboration and sharing of best practice is what we’re all about!" Andrew Wilson "I am delighted to be a Board Director of ICRS. It is the preeminent organisation representing the interests of professionals working in this area. What impresses me most is the power and influence of the ICRS which comes directly from the knowledge and wisdom of all our members – both individuals and organisations. I really appreciate the opportunity to contribute to this collective effort we are all undertaking to enhance the positive role of business in society." Nadia Al Yafai “I’m excited to be an ICRS Director at a time when our profession is not just ‘at the table’ but moving swiftly to ‘owning the table’. From community to sustainability to diversity, our agenda is recognised as central to driving change. The move to purpose-driven business is a key shift in the CR&S professional’s portfolio and one I want to drive alongside embedding a just transition/social impact focus, uniting the social and environment. I’m honoured to support the profession to thrive!”

new perspective

London

The Social Impact Specialists Hanif Osmani Hanif founded the New Perspective Group to help tackle socio-economic inequality. His professional community development journey began in 2002 as a trainee on a £56m regeneration programme on the Ocean Estate in East London, one of the most deprived areas of the UK – and the estate on which he grew up... [FLIP TO READ MORE] Hanif has held several posts, including senior management and leadership roles in a local authority, housing association and two grassroots charities, developing and delivering innovative community development programmes that have been praised as examples of best practice. Strategy, innovation and partnership development are the common threads that run throughout his career, and his areas of expertise include community engagement, economic development and health & wellbeing. He strongly believes in the power of enterprise and well-paid employment to lift disadvantaged communities out of poverty, and both of these topics are close to his heart. He is an autodidact with a broad range of interests, including tech, photography, videography, branding, marketing, graphic design, web design, and more. Hanif seeks to encourage organisations to fully utilise these tools to help drive engagement, deliver real social impact, and fully harness the power of one of his true passions: storytelling. Alexandra Porter Alexandra is a visual anthropologist and filmmaker with a degree in Social Sciences and Social Anthropology and a Masters in Visual Anthropology and Documentary Production. She is deeply passionate about equality and has worked with a broad range of charities to help inspire change and improve the quality of life for some of society's most disadvantaged groups. [FLIP TO READ MORE] In the UK, Alexandra has worked with Oxfam, the British Heart Foundation, the AAFDA charity (Advocacy After Fatal Domestic Abuse), and the Liverpool Blind Football Club. For her degrees, she conducted in-depth qualitative research on stigmatised facets of culture across the globe. As part of her Masters, she moved to Los Angeles to study and film artists living with chronic illnesses in order to understand a patient's expression of their lifeworlds, and how to improve an individual's quality of life. Her film "Pathos: The Art of Life" was officially selected for the Fine Arts Film Festival, Venice, California 2020 and screened at the Burning Man Multiverse 2020. "Trust Your Senses" received an honourable mention at the Experimental Forum 2020. Alexandra currently resides in Barcelona, where she has undergone further training in documentary filmmaking. She has also been involved with local grassroots charities such as Lloc De La Dona (an association supporting migrant women involved in sex work), the Las Kelly's (cleaners fighting for better working conditions in the tourism sector) and Volver a Latir (a rehoming association for foster dogs across Spain). Emran Hoque Emran is a multidisciplined creative specialising in visual identities and creative design. He is trained in art, design, branding, and marketing, and has worked with public, private and non-profit organisations to tell their stories through distinctive, meaningful and emotive design. [FLIP TO READ MORE] Emran has worked with the NHS, Greater London Authority (GLA), educational institutions such as SOAS, local authorities, and others to support them with brand development, web design, and other digital design services. His expertise includes making websites and digital media accessible to neurodiverse people, and his personal experience of dyslexia gives him a unique perspective as a digital professional. For over ten years, he led a creative studio in the heart of London’s creative hub, Brick Lane, and, as a freelance branding consultant, has worked internationally with some of the largest creative agencies and their clients. Emran has a strong track record of working with charities, and in 2021 he founded Digiroots CIC, a non-profit that aims to build the capacity of small grassroots charities and bridge the digital divide. He regularly organises and delivers community arts programmes for disadvantaged communities that may not otherwise have the opportunity to explore and express themselves through the creative arts. Suzanne Wolfe Suzanne is an experienced social housing professional who has spent 35 years working with social landlords, developers, local authorities, charities, and others to create and deliver real social value. Her expertise covers all aspects of housing, including social investment, resident engagement, development and regeneration, finance, and technical services... [FLIP TO READ MORE] In 2004, Suzanne joined an East London social landlord, Poplar HARCA, as Neighbourhood Director and led the area through a period of profound change, quickly building trust and working closely and effectively with the diverse local community. Together, they achieved the transformation of the area from what was regarded as one the worst areas in Tower Hamlets to one of the very best. Suzanne is a capable advocate, problem solver and negotiator. She is motivated by her experience of seeing successful neighbourhood regeneration create opportunity, raise educational outcomes and improve life chances generally. As Chief Executive of the Industrial Dwellings Society, she delivered a corporate turnaround from regulatory downgrading at the start of her tenure, securing the top Governance and Viability ratings from the Regulator of Social Housing in just two years. She is a Fellow of the Institute of Housing, co-opted member of BME London Landlords, and has worked at senior levels for four inner London councils and three Housing Associations.

code red the empowerment project

London

The founder, Calvin E J Wilson LLM (LSE), is a Barrister who has a longstanding interest in educating students, young adults, and their parents on the workings of the criminal justice system. The Empowerment Project Qualifications and Studies Barrister at Law, Inns of Court, School of Law, United Kingdom Attorney at Law Supreme Court of Trinidad and Tobago Senior Crown Prosecutor, Crown Prosecution Service, United Kingdom Banker, Bank of Commerce, Trinidad and Tobago Master of Laws (Commercial) London School of Economics Bachelor of Laws University of London The Empowerment Project Experience Post graduate education and training in the law, with valuable experience on the frontline of the Criminal Justice System including almost eight years prosecution experience at the Crown Prosecution Service and the Criminal Courts, and operational experience with advising Teams at New Scotland Yard. Devised and successfully delivered this series of workshops and has conducted mentoring, motivational speaking and awareness raising sessions at Youth Clubs and Community Centres around London. Direct contacts with officers of the Met Police at ranks of Constable, Sergeant, and Inspector. Guidance and mentoring experience with black young adults. The Empowerment Project Skills Strong professional, administrative, managerial, and creative skills. Resolute adherence to good governance, accounting and auditing best practices. Devising and implementing new and improved working arrangements and innovative projects. Unique skill set that is critical to the effective leadership and delivery of the objectives of Code Red Empowerment. Established Consulting firm Calvin Wilson and Associates, which offers strategic and public affairs advice to governments and the private sector globally, on anti-money laundering and combatting the financing of terrorism issues, and on preventing trans-national criminal gangs from preying on young people. Founded The Empowerment Project The Empowerment Project Books Author of the book “Voices from Violence. A Woman’s Journey to Self-Healing” which is presented to audiences in the Readers Theatre format by CODE RED Ensemble, as an advocacy vehicle to empower young girls and women and to sensitise boys and men in order to reduce or eliminate the level of violence globally. Desilu Banton desilu banton I was born in Dulwich Hospital, East Dulwich Grove,SE22 3PT, on 11th December 1961. I began my life in a house at 102 Railton Road, Herne Hill,SE24 OET, on the ‘Front Line’ of ‘Brixton’, London. What I remember most of my childhood is drawing, drawing all the time, every opportunity. My father loved music and loved to dance. We would dance together. My mother designed clothes and was a dressmaker and cake baker. My parents had arrived in England in 1954 from Jamaica and lived in the Brixton area. They lived on Concannon Road from around 1955 and moved to Railton Road in 1959 after they had wed at the church at Santley Street, around the corner of Concannon Road. Today I live by my painting and continue in my mothers’ and fathers’ legacy as a creator. I am open to producing works of art by commission. painting Painting is expression, a way of me talking with everybody else about how I feel, like a bluesman would play his blues. The whole thing is about feeling. Painting is blues. I paint those feelings that are from inside my head, from inside my soul. The spiritual part of all this is the heritage, the thing that comes from my ancestors, the ingredients that everybody talks about when they talk about the past, where we all come from, which is DNA, the genes. What I am doing is recording the memory that comes to me from nature, along with the music that came from West Africa and the Atlantic experience, all of it, and what I do then is give it form, give it some skin, textures and colours, the whole thing is like an umbilical cord that has not lost its life force, it is the whole nine yards. Jackie Burton Jackie Burton Born and raised in West Yorkshire, I took a trip to London in 1983 and have remained here since then. I am a black woman, a Christian and a mother. A retired Social Worker, I have a passion for children, young people and their families. Over the last 40 years I have had roles in church including youth leader and Pathfinder club leader as well as teaching in children’s Sabbath school & children’s church. It was my joy, to find the most creative and interesting ways to engage children and young people with so many varied learning styles. Over the last 12 years of my career I was a Team Leader for a local authority Fostering Service; having responsibility for facilitating training, assessing foster carers and placing children from diverse and challenging backgrounds with those carers. Life-long learning is part of who I am and I started becoming more interested in paper crafts when my now, 25 year old son was around 3 years old. We started to make cards for every occasion and stopped buying them from the shops. Paper crafts opened the door to so many other crafting pursuits and my love for crafting has only grown since then, from wedding decoration, decoupage & canvas art to knitting & simple sewing, I have done many and various and still do. Nothing pleases me more than sharing my love for something with others, and creative crafts is certainly one of those very many things. I have done this via children’s craft workshops; transforming spaces for Vacation Bible School (VBS); school holiday clubs; card making workshops for children and adults. If it includes crafting, I will consider it. Currently I am involved in a weekly Craft Café project where we are using hobby crafts to support people in our community who may be lonely, socially isolated or feeling low. Sr Josephine Udie MP, MSc, GC HDip, NP Reverend Sister, Steer Right Project Coordinator, Power Coach Expert, Health Care Professional Reverend Sister, Steer Right Project Coordinator, Power Coach Expert, Health Care Professional Sister Josephine is passionate about the dignity of the human person. As a trained Power Coach and Health Care professional, Sister enjoys using her skills to coach, support and empower children and families to become who they are meant to be. Steer Right is a charity for which Sister Josephine is Project Coordinator, uses the strap line Little help Big Difference to highlight the effectiveness of what a small amount of intervention can do. Amari Smith-Foster Amari Smith-Foster I am a mental health advocate and a student counsellor. I am extremely passionate about mental health and well-being. After battling with my own mental health, being sectioned at just 13 and becoming part of the system, I am using those same life experiences to help others overcome. My story, my pain and this rollercoaster of a journey has given me great insight to help others and make a change. Me speaking up and using my voice, allows so many others, old, young, male, and female to feel heard, to feel seen. Now I am in a position, I have promised myself , it is pivotal that I make a change for the mental health system. My social profiles: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/accounts/onetap/?next=%2F LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amari-smith-foster-26a68417b/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPMHXb5U40E0Zw1B3h4vcJg Please feel free to contact me should there be any issues. Norman Mine Norman Mine Norman Mine is an Italian-born London based multidisciplinary artist whose practice encompasses visual art, acting and social work. Using autobiographical scenarios as a starting point, Mine's practice expands into fantasy and delusion and in his alter-ego, Dino Desica, an aspiring Italian actor who exists only through a video format, as "performance to camera", becoming an ephemeral simulation of the self. Mine's practice explores the infinite possibilities of the self, the authenticity and the structures of inclusion and exclusion in which it is constructed. For the past three years Mine has run creative workshops co-working with people of different generations, backgrounds, and abilities; developing a specific approach that unsettles the scenario in which participants perform to stimulate creativity and imagination as an opportunity to navigate within. Mine has obtained a Masters Degree in Fine Art at Goldsmith College in 2018. His work has been shown at Performance Istanbul (2021), disORDER Live Collective (2020), Deptford X (2019), The Koppel Project (2019), Platform1 Gallery (2018), Art Night London (2017). He was a recipient of the DYCP grant, Art Council England (2021). In 2022 Mine has founded Norwood JunkAction, an eco-community art project based in Croydon, London. Diana Wilson Diana Wilson Diana Wilson is an Executive and Life Coach professional as well as a Psychodynamic Counsellor, who in parallel, has enjoyed a substantial career in Education and Training and Development across Schools and local Government. Diana is fluidly proficient in a myriad of modalities with a keen focus on Cognitive Behavioural Coaching. She offers leading-edge, inspirational coaching that stimulates thinking, accelerates transformation, and empowers clients to accomplish their aspirational goals. My social handles: Website: www.dwcoach.co.uk LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/diana-wilson-564a6941 Richmond Trew Richmond Trew A Professional Trainer/Workshop Facilitator with 25 years’ experience of working in communities and custodial settings nationally and internationally. He is also a recording & performing artist fronting the collective Abstract Word and currently has Publishing & Production contracts with (Peer Music LTD-MAP Music). Richmond also leads a group of free-lance Arts Practioners under the name of Journeyman Arts (Using the Arts to share & pass on Knowledge). He also Runs 492 Korna Klub next generation Ltd that runs live improvised drama weekly on Galaxy Radio.

as mentoring

Ealing Green,

Aeryn Priyanu , Employment Consultant Aeryn has always had an interest in language and communication. Starting her early career in teaching English as a foreign language, she went on to shadow a Speech and Language Therapist and this started her interest in working with people on the autism spectrum. She worked in primary schools as a Learning Support Assistant then moved on to work for the National Autistic Society in a day centre. Aeryn started off as a Support Worker, moving up to become Deputy Manager of the day service. She supported individuals in their daily life and helped them gain work experience and vocational skills. As well as working as a consultant with AS Mentoring, Aeryn works in a college for young people with autism, facilitating individuals with functional and social aspects of life, supporting students to meet their targets and maintain long life independent living skills. Photo of Alan Alan Castellaro, Employment Consultant Alan's interest in Autism began when he attended St Andrew's primary school in Chinnor, Oxfordshire, one of the first schools in the country to teach Autistic children one to one. In 2009 he volunteered on a project for Kith and Kids supporting a young man with Autism and they have remained in regular contact ever since. He then worked for 4 years with Dimensions as an Assistant Service Manager of a residential home for adults with severe physical disabilities and Autism. For the last 4 years he has worked for Ambitious About Autism starting off as a Learning Behaviour Specialist and moving up to become a Learning Support Co-ordinator, and was instrumental in helping set up Ambitious College, London's first College for young adults with Autism. He has a BA Hons in Writing and Publishing and has a rich and varied employment history to draw upon. Photo of Alice Alice Mitra-Hall, Employment Consultant Alice previously worked for The National Autistic Society where she ran a Day Centre and facilitated a weekly social group. During this time Alice supported adults on the spectrum to develop their independent living and social skills, as well as supporting service users to apply for and attend college and work schemes, CV writing and interview practice. Alice has a BA Hons degree in Psychology and has also worked in a number of schools supporting teenagers with autism and has provided specialist individualised support for a family for over 10 years. Photo of Amira Amira Hassan, Employment Consultant Amira has been a mentor at AS Mentoring for 4 years. Amira has a variety of clients for both workplace and job-seeking support. After completing her PhD in Neuroscience from Imperial College London, Amira decided to be involved with AS Mentoring full time and is currently managing the Workshops Programme, overseeing the development and online delivery of workshops and group events throughout the year. Amira is warm and friendly, providing individual, autism-specific support and advice. Photo of Anna Anna Roads, Employment Consultant Anna spent 24 years in the investment management sector, working in sales, marketing, product development and client relationships for a number of blue chip firms including Lazards, Fidelity and Goldman Sachs. She developed successful business relationships with large corporates, consultancies and public sector organisations. In her leadership roles, she also enjoyed coaching and developing careers for younger team members. These are skills and contacts she brings to ASM clients. Over the past 6 years she has developed a number of voluntary roles; relaunched the local NAS branch as Chair (2011-2015), served on a local parents special needs forum (2012-2014), been elected a parent governor at a special needs school and worked as a volunteer mentor on a Research Autism Project. Her focus has been on education and now employment, both as a parent of a young person with ASC and through the influence of autistic colleagues she has served with before. Before joining the City, she gained a law degree from Cambridge University, an MBA from Cranfield Business School and qualified as a solicitor. Photo of Charlotte Charlotte Leighton, Employment Consultant Charlotte specialises in providing workplace support for individuals as well as working with organisations to provide autism specific support and advice. This experience has been honed through her work at ASM and her previous role as an Employment Support worker and trainer at The National Autistic Society. Charlotte has subsequently worked for HAIL in Haringey for two years managing social enterprises staffed entirely of employees with autism and learning disabilities. She has also worked as an Appropriate Adult supporting vulnerable individuals whilst in police custody. For the past ten years Charlotte has confidently designed and delivered social skills groups and workshops for adults with autism. As well as working for ASM she is also employed part-time for Resources for Autism in Barnet managing their adult services. Charlotte is able to support individuals emotionally as well practically as she holds certificates in Person Centered counselling and a diploma in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy. David Perkins, Director David was Head of Services at Prospects, the National Autistic Society's specialist employment service, from 2007 – 2013; he left in June 2013 to set up AS Mentoring. He has extensive experience of supporting people with an ASC into employment across the UK and abroad, and of providing a wide range of training, assessment and consultancy services to employers and other organisations in the UK, Europe and the US. He has worked continuously with people with autism since the early 1980s. David has spent the bulk of his working life in the voluntary sector and prior to the NAS spent many years running a group of specialist adventure playgrounds in London for over 1200 disabled children, (some 30% of whom were autistic). He has a BSc (Hons) in Operational Research from Lancaster University. Photo of Emma Emma Hills, Employment Consultant Emma has been teaching psychology and health related subjects to adults since 2009 with the majority of her work focusing on providing social purpose education in the community to hard-to-reach groups, including those with disabilities. Much of her work focuses on supporting learners through transition and has led her to develop herself as a coach as well as an educator. More recently she has found herself key-working with learners with disabilities in a transition college as well as training and supervising the staff who support them. Emma mentors and tutors a diverse range of learners including learners on the autism spectrum in her continuing work in the community. Emma works part-time as an Employment Consultant with ASM and finds her knowledge and experience gained from facilitating community courses such as 'confidence building', 'communication skills' or 'interviewing skills' compliments the role well. She has a BSc Hons Psychology, PG-dip Social research, PGCE in post-compulsory education and is a registered health and social care trainer as well as a full member of the Association for Coaching. Emma is also currently studying for an MA in Education: Culture and Identity, at Goldsmith university. Photo of Eve Eve Riches, Employment Consultant Eve Riches is an employment consultant for AS Mentoring, where she provides one to one support and workshop creation and delivery. Eve has a background in teaching Psychology and has been involved in mentoring for her whole career. She has a lifetime of lived experience of neurodiversity. Outside of ASM, Eve works as a life coach and mentor. Photo of Gurleen Gené Wyrley-Birch, Employment Consultant Gené is committed to raising awareness and understanding of ASC to improve social inclusion, acceptance and understanding; to making a real difference to the lives of people on the autism spectrum and in broader society. Over the past 12 years, while caring for and advocating for her son, Gené has developed an in-depth knowledge and understanding of autism as well as related challenges including ADHD, PDA, Social Communication Disorder and Sensory Processing Disorder. She has a creative, positive and flexible approach and is determined to combined her personal and professional experiences to help clients into work and successfully retain their jobs. Throughout her previous roles in both Investment Banking at JP Morgan and UBS Warburg and Commercial Conferencing, Gené had an active role in recruiting, training and mentoring new team members. Gené has worked across many sectors, including Finance, Pharmaceuticals, Defence, Utilities, Aviation and Telecommunication. Gené Holds a BA degree in Industrial & Organisational Sociology and Industrial & Organisational Psychology from the University of Cape Town. Photo of Gurleen Georgia Thursting, Employment Consultant Georgia has worked with autistic adults and children in a variety of settings including education, play and social settings for the past year. As a support worker with Resources for Autism, she continues to support her clients in achieving their personal and work goals and loves to get creative with her approach. Georgia also works for Share Community in Battersea as a music tutor/ therapist, building the confidence of adults through music and artistic expression. She also enjoys planning and delivering online workshops for adults with Autism, focusing on well-being, physical health and emotional expression through music making. Outside of her work in Autism, is a trained musician, singer/ guitarist and enjoys performing at events across the UK. Photo of Gurleen Gurleen Manku, Regional Employment Consultant Gurleen has 18 years' experience of autism. She has a sibling on the spectrum, and has previously worked in primary education for children with Special Educational Needs (SEN), and has been a SEN Secondary School Govenor. In 2015 Gurleen volunteered at Autism West Midlands to support adults with autism to find employment. She then worked for Enable, Shropshire Council as a Job Coach in various workplaces supporting adults with autism and learning disabilities. Gurleen is highly experienced in delivering Pre-employment support, mentoring and Workplace support at AS Mentoring across the West Midlands since 2015. Gurleen holds a BSc in Business Psychology and is a member of the British Psychological Society, within the Division of Occupational Psychology. She has also completed her Masters in Occupational Psychology. Photo of Gurleen Mahlia Amatina, Employment Consultant Diagnosed with autism as an adult, Mahlia has first-hand experience of the challenges that can arise from a range of workplace settings, but more importantly; how to overcome these. Outside of AS Mentoring, Mahlia works as a visual artist, where she raises awareness and understanding of neurodiversity through different art forms. With a special interest in autism and work, Mahlia is keen to combine lived workplace experience with her mentoring skills as an employment consultant to support clients. Photo of Helen Mark Blake, Employment Consultant Mark has a broad range of experience across social care with several client groups and in varied settings. Following an arts degree he spent a couple of years on voluntary projects with disabled adults living independently, and with homeless men in an emergency night shelter in central London with subsequent paid roles including community support work with disabled adults moving back into the community following long periods in residential hospitals. Mark has also spent time as a residential care worker in adolescent residential units. The last 30 years has seen a focus on Adults and Children with Disabilities in a both a Day Service and Residential Home setting. As a Manager of services in these fields Mark has increasingly focused his support to children and adults on the autistic spectrum and has become keenly aware of the challenges faced by them and their families in achieving independence and realizing their potential. It is this interest that has led to an involvement in a mentoring role with AS mentoring and employment. Photo of Helen Mike Leat, Employment Consultant Mike comes from a background in advocacy, design and communication. Through his own business he previously ran an Easy Read design service which employed people with a learning disability and autism. In 2015 he co-produced a DVD on Autism and Mental Health for the Autism Partnership Board in Surrey. Mike previously worked for The National Autistic Society Assist service providing one to one support/mentoring sessions, and facilitating social and support groups for autistic adults. After completing an undergraduate module in autism with The Open University, Mike went on to complete a Postgraduate Certificate in Autism and Asperger syndrome. Mike also works with a project called ‘Autism by Experience’ which is a team of mostly autistic adults providing Understanding Autism training to staff in a variety of roles including health and social care. Photo of Laura Lauren Moore, Employment Consultant Lauren has a number of years experience of supporting people with autism as well as additional needs. Her main influence for working with people on the spectrum is her younger sibling who was diagnosed with autism at a young age. Over the past decade she has worked in a school specifically of young people with social, emotional and mental health difficulties, starting as a Teaching Assistant and then working as the Intervention Co-ordinator for the secondary department. Lauren also worked in a specialist autism college as a Learning and Behaviour Specialist, moving up to become a Learning Support Co-ordinator. She studied History at undergraduate level and has more recently graduated with a Masters in Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities in July 2018. Photo of Rachel Rachel Pearson, Senior Regional Employment Consultant Following a successful 13-year career in the City Rachel moved into HR and Business Consultancy specialising in organisation restructuring projects involving (often large scale) job review, recruitment and redundancy programmes. She has extensive experience of working with SME employers and large organisations in the public and private sectors around all aspects of the employment relationship. Rachel previously volunteered with the National Autistic Society's Prospects Team and she now works as an employment consultant specialising in supporting people with an ASC to find and retain work. She also works with the NAS's Employment Training and Adult Services Teams supporting students and employees, and providing advice and guidance to employers. With a close family member on the autistic spectrum, Rachel also volunteers with her local NAS branch in Surrey. She holds an MSc in Human Resource Management and is a Member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel & Development. Photo of Siobhan Siobhan Pauley, Employment Consultant Siobhan has first-hand experience of supporting someone with Asperger’s Syndrome and ADHD as her son has moved through various life transitions, experiencing the hurdles faced by people on the autistic spectrum. She spent 30 years working within Human Resources of a large financial institution attaining her MCIPD status, where she became the company’s Reasonable Adjustment Officer. It was her responsibility to ensure that employees with disabilities were able to receive the right workplace accommodations to enable them to access various roles in the company. This has given her considerable insight to enable her to support our clients. Following a career move, Siobhan is setting up AS Mentoring services in and around Poole, Dorset- as well as working part time to support an individual with profound learning difficulties within an independent living service.