Emma Dalmayne Finalist!
- 1 day ago
- 4 min read
"I have been nominated for the Neurodiversity Business Awards in category Outstanding Achiever Of The Year!
I don't expect to win, but its lovely to be nominated, thank you to Dave Gregson ✨️ cannot wait!
Will get to meet Paul Stevenson as well!".
by our Emma Dalmayne ❤️
LONDON, 10 February 2026: The finalists for the inaugural Neurodiverse Business Awards have been officially announced today, marking a major milestone in a new national programme dedicated to showcasing neurodiverse talent and the organisations championing neuroinclusive cultures across the UK workforce.
An estimated 15-20% of the population is neurodivergent, yet neurodivergent individuals remain significantly underrepresented in employment. Just 56% of the working-age neurodivergent population are in full-time work, falling to 31% for autistic people.
Among those in employment, many feel compelled to mask their neurodivergence, while a lack of visible role models continues to limit awareness of the value neurodiverse people bring to the workplace.
The Neurodiverse Business Awards were established to challenge these barriers head-on. By showcasing outstanding individuals and forward-thinking employers, the Awards aim to shift perceptions, dismantle outdated stereotypes and demonstrate that neuroinclusion is not a tick-box exercise, but a powerful driver of innovation, productivity and business performance.
Research shows that neurodiverse employees can be 90-140% more productive than neurotypical peers and make fewer errors in certain roles. Yet just one in three report feeling well supported at work, while three in ten have not disclosed their neurodivergence to their employer, partly due to fears of stigma or assumptions.
At a time of acute skills shortages and a national productivity challenge in the UK, this represents a vast pool of untapped potential.
The unveiling of the inaugural shortlist follows a tremendous response to the first year of nominations, with more than 400 submissions received from across the country. The breadth of organisations and individuals represented reflects growing momentum behind neuroinclusion and increasing recognition of the strategic value of embracing neurodiversity in the workforce.
Kirsty Matthews, CEO of DFN Project SEARCH, official charity partner of the Awards, said: "With the employment gap for neurodivergent people remaining stubbornly wide, these Awards shine a much-needed light on what becomes possible when employers embrace neurodiversity to unlock talent and potential.
Those shortlisted represent the very best of what neuroinclusive workplaces can achieve and demonstrate that with the right support and understanding, neurodivergent individuals don't just participate in the workforce but excel.
"The Awards celebrate exactly what we work towards every day at DFN Project SEARCH: a UK job market where neurodivergent talent is recognised and valued.
Through our supported internship programme, we help young adults with a learning disability, who are autistic, or both, make successful transitions from education into meaningful paid employment, helping them build the skills, confidence and independence that transform lives.
These finalists are proof of the progress being made and we're proud to partner with these Awards and to champion a future where everyone can build a positive, independent and fulfilling life through work."
The winners will be revealed on 18 March 2026 at the Neurodiverse Business Awards gala celebration, taking place in the prestigious Grand Hall of the Grand Connaught Rooms in Covent Garden, London. The event will bring together neurodiverse leaders and advocates from across the UK economy for an evening showcasing business excellence, impact and inclusion.
The award ceremony will be hosted by ITV news anchor Nina Hossain, with an exciting programme featuring special guest speakers and live entertainment, including Sir Stephen Timms, Minister of State for Social Security and Disability, and Dan Rhodes, the world's most followed YouTube magician.
Finalists were selected by an independent judging panel made up of business leaders and neurodiversity advocates from major employers including Meta, Accenture, the BBC, Lloyds Banking Group, the National Crime Agency, Sport England, the Royal Navy, AECOM, BAE Systems, Virgin Media O2, Microsoft and the NHS.
Beyond the celebration, the Neurodiverse Business Awards serve a serious purpose: helping employers address skills shortages, talent gaps and productivity challenges by better engaging with neurodiverse talent. As the UK seeks to strengthen economic performance and build more resilient, innovative organisations, neuroinclusion offers a solution hiding in plain sight.
Ben Rossi, founder of the Neurodiverse Business Awards, said: “The Neurodiverse Business Awards exist to make visible a talent group that has been overlooked for far too long, and to change the narrative around neuroinclusion. Neurodivergent people bring extraordinary strengths to the workplace, yet many remain underemployed or misunderstood – not because of a lack of ability but because systems and perceptions have failed to keep pace.
“We were blown away by the volume and quality of nominations for this first edition of the Awards. The calibre of the finalists is a powerful statement that neuroinclusion is not a ‘nice to have’ – it’s a strategic imperative. These finalists are not only high performers who deserve recognition in their own right, but also vital role models helping to reshape how employers understand talent, productivity and potential. We look forward to celebrating them on 18 March.”