SCOTLAND-based neurodiversity charity Salvesen Mindroom Centre has announced the appointment of three new trustees to its board.
Each a key player in their respective fields, the new recruits will play a vital role in supporting the charity towards achieving some ambitious goals for the year ahead including reaching 1 million workers by 2026 with practical tools and advice to effect change in the workplace and supporting 3,000 parents, carers, children and young people through their Direct Help & Support service.
The charity will also host the international event, It Takes All Kinds of Minds, on March 13 and 14 at EICC. The conference aims to foster a better understanding of all neurodevelopmental conditions and help to create more inclusive schools, workplaces and communities.
Adrian Astley-Jones, Non-Executive Director, Strategy & Board Advisor and former private equity MD, will become a key advisor on the subjects of business growth and strategy development.
A proven Senior Executive and Board Operator, Adrian has worked on over two hundred Private-Equity backed mergers and acquisition deals, and he is currently operating as an independent Advisor to boards and as an Operating Partner focusing on scale, growth and digital transformation.
Commenting on his appointment, Adrian said: “I am delighted to be working with Mindroom. I strongly believe in opportunity for all and having neurodivergent family members means I understand what they can offer to the world if the opportunity is forthcoming.”
Mindroom has also welcomed Lesley McPherson, former Communications Director of The Co-operative Bank, Edinburgh City Council and AEGON, who will help to drive the charity’s strategic communications.
Lesley, is currently Communications Director with The Nottingham Building Society and her expertise in corporate communications strategy and corporate social responsibility has been key to her recent work with high-profile organisations in both the public and private sectors.
Commenting on her aspirations for the charity, Lesley said: “There is a growing recognition of neurodiversity and how it can impact people’s lives at home and at work and the team at Mindroom offer information and support to those affected, their families and employers. We want to raise awareness of the broad range of services available and strengthen Mindroom’s reputation as an expert voice on neurodiversity in the UK.”
Chief People Officer at Seccl, Kirsty Lynagh is the third new addition to Mindroom’s board of trustees. Kirsty was Chief People Officer for Nucleus Financial – before joining Seccl in June 2022. She brings a wealth of experience in strategic workplace engagement.
“It’s a real privilege to be asked to join the board having worked closely with the team at Mindroom over the past two and a half years. Neurodiversity is something I care deeply about, both from a personal and professional perspective. I see immense value in the work that the team do in both our schools and workplaces and it’s being inspiring to see first-hand the impact that Mindroom has. I look forward to continuing our relationship in a new capacity as a join the board and play my part in supporting the team to further their vision of a world in which no mind is left behind,” says Kirsty.
Chief Executive Officer at Salvesen Mindroom Centre, Alan Thornburrow commented: “We’re delighted to welcome Adrian, Lesley and Kirsty to the board and are so grateful to be joined by trustees displaying such a vast array of experience, which is key to supporting our vision for the year ahead.
“We have some big ambitions for the year ahead, one of which is the successful delivery of ITAKOM, which is only a matter of weeks away and will be a huge flagship event for us and this is something that we are very excited about.”
It Takes All Kinds Of Minds – ITAKOM – will bring together more than 50 speakers from around the world including experts on neurodiversity in the workplace, neuroscientists, clinicians and comedians, among them Edinburgh’s satirical impressionist Rory Bremner, a neurodiversity advocate after being diagnosed with ADHD.
The event will gather together HR professionals, practitioners, academics, the care sector and families, all providing insights into how better to understand and celebrate people’s differences and provide effective support where needed. For more information on ITAKOM visit https://itakom.org
