London firms have been challenged by former Health Secretary Matt Hancock to recruit more people with a “hidden superpower” such as dyslexia.
Mr Hancock, who was diagnosed with dyslexia at university and took part in ITV’s I’m A Celebrity in part to promote awareness of the condition, was speaking at a Neurodiversity in Business conference in London on Thursday.
He declined to be interviewed ahead of his appearance due to the furore over his leaked WhatsApp messages sent during the pandemic.
But Mr Hancock, who is vice-president of the British Dyslexia Association, told the Standard in a written statement: "To my mind, dyslexia is a hidden superpower, creating huge opportunities for people, with enhanced levels of creativity and lateral thinking.
“It’s no wonder that employers like GCHQ and Universal Music actively recruit dyslexic people.
"In fact, we’re starting to see the beginnings of a culture shift within business. Last year, over 100 large businesses pledged to make the corporate environment more neuroinclusive.
“Encouraging neuroinclusivity is not only a matter of fairness, but it’s vital for the economy. Tragically, we are currently losing a whole swathe of talent because we are not giving those with dyslexia the tools they need to thrive. This cannot continue.”
The conference, at the ExCeL, seeks to create more “neuroinclusive” workplaces. London mayor Sadiq Khan and the Lord Mayor of London, Nicholas Lyons, have given their backing to making London the “neuroinclusive capital of the world”.
Neurodivergent people are those with neurological conditions such as autism, ADHD and dyslexia.
New research by Birkbeck, University of London’s Research Centre for Neurodiversity at Work, found 65 per cent of neurodivergent employees feared discrimination at work.
Neurodiversity in Business founder and chief executive Dan Harris said: “Inclusive companies know that a diverse workforce brings competitive advantage.
“We’ve created a day for businesses to hear from neurodivergent thought leaders, participate in discussions, and come together with neurodivergent individuals to explore how we can work together to make more real progress.”
Mr Hancock praised efforts in cities such as New York to train teachers to spot children with dyslexia, and to offer child screening.
He said: "As someone who wasn’t diagnosed with dyslexia until I got to university, I have been campaigning for universal screening of dyslexia in all primary schools, to ensure no child is left behind.
“Despite a few disappointing setbacks, I’ve been hugely encouraged by Mayor Eric Adams’ initiative in New York City to train every teacher and screen every child for dyslexia.
“Not only will this help improve the education system for children living in New York, but it will, in time, undoubtedly increase the work prospects for those with dyslexia and ultimately bridge the gap of one of the last remaining equalities debates."
