Neurodiversity in the boardroom: A short guide

Introduction

Encouraging and benefitting from neurodivergent boards

This guide is designed to help boards create practices that encourage the recruitment and retention of neurodiverse members while maintaining high standards in governance. 

It emphasises leadership, transparency, and accountability, in line with the UK Corporate Governance Code and the Co-operative Code of Governance and aims to foster democracy and inclusion as strategies for positive change.

Neurodiversity refers to the idea that differences in brain function – such as Autism, ADHD, Dyslexia, and Dyspraxia – are natural variations in human diversity, while neurotypical describes individuals whose brain function aligns with what is considered typical or average. 

Recognising the value of these differences, neurodiversity emphasises that people with varied neurological makeups bring unique perspectives, skills, and strengths. 

An estimated 15-20% of the UK population is neurodiverse. Therefore, to ensure strong and ethically sound adherence to the co-operatives values of member voice, participation and engagement – and to continue in the ever-evolving work of creating a governance toolkit rather than individual tools – we are providing this guidance to help members realise, navigate, embrace and ultimately include all differences that make up co-operatives membership at board level and beyond.

_

This resource was commissioned by Co-operatives UK's Co-operative Governance Expert Reference Panel. It was written by Sarah Musique, Think Musique.