'Careers For All' Speakers
'Careers For All' Speakers
Megan Welton
Megan joined Durham County Council as a Job Coach Assistant; however, she struggled with some of the duties in the role and it became apparent that it wasn't the right match for her. Megan was then offered her current role which matched the skills and abilities her line manager had observed as well as fulfilling a genuine business need.
Megan is Autistic, has OCD and some other physical and mental health co-occurrences. In the workplace Megan needs some practical adjustments but more importantly, a non-judgmental team around her. She's always happy to chat about her lived experience and its impact, but she also encourages colleagues to take-part in self-learning, especially considering how differently being a woman with autism can present itself and that OCD is a complex and often misunderstood condition.
Megan is extremely gifted with technology and design and has found her niche combining the two. She now strives to make anything and everything accessible with the use of things like Easy Read design and the newest assistive technologies. She regularly creates and teaches new system integrations, data reports and accessible documentation for staff and customers - she's also always on call for any tech support within the team!
Megan is celebrated and valued within her team and plays a crucial role to the service provided by Durham County Council.
Carole Williamson
When I joined Durham County Council, I didn't have a diagnosis for autism but was recognising myself as an autistic person. My manager and team nurtured, accepted and supported me. Then, they celebrated with me when I gained my diagnosis, at the age of 48.
This was not the kind of support I have experienced in previous employment, even though all of my roles were supporting and helping people. This included the professional roles of careers/Connexions adviser and primary school teacher, where it might have been assumed that I would have been nurtured; but where I often felt weird, alone and struggled with what I thought was my mental health.
As part of my diagnosis, my dyspraxia was (informally) recognised, and I was advised to undertake an assessment for ADHD too! I am waiting alongside the thousands of others for this formal label.
As an employee I feel seen, supported, and safe. As a result, I have found success in my role, supporting disabled and neurodivergent adults into employment, as well as educating colleagues, managers, and employers about neurodiversity and how to enable people who think differently to be and achieve their best. People are really listening and adapting to help neurodivergent people find the safety and acceptance that they need to gain their own success.
My plan is to continue working in this vein, supporting Durham County Council and other employers, with guidance and training, enabling neurodivergent people to understand themselves, find peace with who they are, and help more people to understand how spectacular, a truly accepting diverse society can be for all.
Caitlin Kirwan
My name is Caitlin Kirwan and I am 24 years old and I work at Manchester Royal Hospital as a pharmacy assistant and I live in sale with my family (mum and brother).
I love my job and would love to share my journey with you all !
Gerraint Jones-Griffiths
I have been the Lead Ambassador for Engage to Change since 2018, I have delivered numerous presentations and chaired several conferences as part of this role, my main topics are Supported Employment and Co Production.
I have had the privilege to be the Honorary Associate for Cardiff University since November 2023, as I have been heavily involved in the Research and Evaluation Team for Engage to Change.
Now we are focussing on the legacy of Engage to Change in Wales. We work to influence and inform policy and practice with the lessons from the Engage to Change project.
As a person with lived experience I am very honoured to have been asked to present on the mainstage at this year’s conference.
Rebbecca Connelly
I completed an internship with Pure Innovations. During this time I developed as a person and my confidence as grown. Through this internship I was able to gain the role of a patient liaison, which gave me the opportunity to interact with patients and helped me to achieve my goal towards working with people.
With this newfound confidence, I gained employment within the NHS and worked within a support worker role for 7 years. I enjoyed my time working with the NHS but I came to realise that I wanted to do something different. I now work as a support worker at “I am”, a charity which supports individuals with diverse support needs. I love my job. This role has not only helped me support others but has given me a community and purpose.
Robbie Crow
Robbie is the BBC’s Strategic Disability Lead. He is responsible for disability inclusion across its entire current and potential workforce.
Before joining the BBC, Robbie worked in policy at the Scottish Government and chaired its disabled staff network. Robbie has held roles in the public and voluntary sectors and in the NHS, and previously led a national children’s charity as Chair for 6 years.
As a life-long disabled person he’s a passionate advocate of the Social Model of Disability and is frequently accompanied by his guide dog, Yogi. You can follow Robbie on LinkedIn.
Jamie Shields
Jamie is a self-described Registered Blind AuDHD Rhino. He says "Rhinos are just chubby unicorns with bad eyesight, don’t believe me, google it! They really do have bad eyesight. I was born with a hereditary eye condition called Ocular Albinism with Nystagmus. Or in non-medical terms, I am the same as an albino, only with pigmentation, and my eyes like to go for uncontrolled walks or dances.
I spent years being Disabled by society. As an adult, I was diagnosed with Autism and ADHD, which finally helped me see things a little clearer, excuse the pun. We live in a society that Disables. A society that views Disability as a problem to solve, rather than part of the human experience and part of the Solution. I am listed as one of the 100 most Influential Disabled People in the UK, I’m an award-winning ERG Lead and I’m named as one of the 50 top DEI practitioners in the UK by Inclusive Employers. Just like a rhino can change an ecosystem I believe Disabled People can change the cultures that Disable us."
Jamie's keynote has been sponsored by
Lee Corless
Lee is a senior executive with many years of experience working within the financial, technology, and recruitment industries.
Having been part of the leadership team building arguably the world’s leading Autism at Work program within one of the largest global investment corporations, Lee is now recognized as one of the world leaders in the neurodiversity and disability inclusion space and is an accomplished, in-demand, global speaker. As an autistic self-advocate, Lee supports the advancement of adapting the workplace to embrace neurodiversity and disability along with encouraging neurodivergent individuals to seek employment
Dr Katy Jones
Dr Katy Jones is a Reader in Employment and Head of the Decent Work and Productivity Research Centre at Manchester Metropolitan University.
She has previously held research positions at The Work Foundation and the University of Salford. Her research focuses on support for people to move into and progress in (good) work, mainly in relation to active labour market policy and vocational education, and with a particular focus on those most disadvantaged in the labour market.
She is passionate about engaging with policymakers and ensuring research is impactful and accessible to a wide audience.
Ian Turner 
Ian Turner is the Chief of People and Place at UA92, bringing over 25 years of experience in HR and people management. A passionate advocate for making organisations "people businesses," Ian believes that fostering a people-first approach is key to long-term success. Throughout his career, he has focused on creating environments where employees thrive, driving organisational culture, and ensuring that people are at the heart of business strategy. Ian’s leadership at UA92 reflects his commitment to innovation and the development of a strong, engaged workforce.
As Chief of People and Place at UA92, he is as driven as ever before to support their students develop into talented individuals who will thrive in life and support the growth of organisations throughout Greater Manchester and beyond.
Andy Powlson
Andy has worked for DWP for over 40 years and spent much of that time in operational roles working within Jobcentres and Service Centres. The vein of Andy’s career has been two-fold with an emphasis on delivering for disabled customers and working in employer services. The two have often inter linked and Andy has looked to ensure the customer is at the heart of delivery. Andy can understand the customer journey, the impacts of that disability on day to day living, the kind of adjustments that are needed and then applying the lived in experience to a working environment.
Andy has been able to work with employers to show them the art of the possible, realising opportunities for not just one person but paving the way for attitudinal change so that employers will consistently recruit disabled talent. Disability Confident being delivered in action.
Ian MacArthur
An exiled Scotsman, Ian has spent his career working on environmental and public health issues - and the socioeconomic policies that underpin them - from community to international levels.
Starting his career as an environmental health officer with Carlisle City Council, he has worked in delivery, policy and leadership roles for Edinburgh City Council, the Health and Safety Executive, the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health, The World Health Organisation (Euro), the UK Public Health Association, Groundwork UK and The Growth Company.
Since March 2019, he has led the development and implementation of the Greater Manchester Good Employment Charter, - an initiative established by the Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham in his first term and now a major policy foundation to help address employment related inequalities and build economic and social resilience across Greater Manchester.
Rachael Leah
Rachael has 10 years’ experience working in DfE, with half of this time focused on SEND. She works collaboratively with other government departments, school and college sectors, and third sector organisations to deliver person-centred policy.
She has overseen development and delivery of an £18m investment in supported internships and developed a pilot to test the supported internship model with young people with SEND who don’t have EHCPs and are furthest from the labour market. Rachael is committed to ensuring all children and young people with SEND are supported to transition into adulthood and employment.
Julia Gault
As a Deputy Director at the Department for Work and Pensions, Julia Gault leads on Disability and Work Opportunities – including policy around the support provided to disabled jobseekers and the Access to Work and Disability Confident Schemes. She recently led the design and delivery of the Kickstart Scheme.
In over 30 years in the Civil Service in three departments – Department for Work and Pensions, Cabinet Office and the Department for Education – she has held a wide range of posts from front-line service delivery to strategic policy development; many linked around the common theme of enabling those with disadvantages to improve their prospects. Julia has extensive experience of working closely with those outside government – including local authorities; the charitable and voluntary sector and employers – to support vulnerable people to achieve their potential.
Julia was awarded a CBE in 2020 for services to disadvantaged children and families and her voluntary work in grassroots cricket.
Olivia Grimsley
Olivia joined Amazon 2 years ago as Project Manager Apprentice, after successfully completing her apprenticeship she secured a permeant position as a program manager in the candidate engagement team.
For the last 2 years has worked on expanding Amazon’s supported employment programs across UK and Ireland with now a focus on moving these programs Europe wide. This includes building charity partnerships with Mencap, WALK, Down Syndrome Association and BASE. Also expanding Amazon’s supported internship program in partnership with DfN Project Search. In this role and over the past 2 years Olivia has led the programs to rapidly grow with the supported internship program being expanded to 15 sites across the UK.
Olivia is now developing further relationships in Spain, Germany and France with a view to expand supported employment across Europe. Olivia has a real passion for inclusion and making a real difference to society and supporting those underrepresented job seekers access Amazon jobs.
Sam Everard
Sammy Everard is the Founder and Chief Executive of the award-winning SAMEE charity. SAMEE is an organisation that, through co-creation with the disabled community, designs practical activities, mentoring programmes and bespoke resources to enhance the skills of disabled people wanting to explore self-employment. Sammy is also the South West Chair of the Regional Stakeholder Network for the Disability Unit, Founder and CEO of Celtrose Consultancy and a PhD student at Bournemouth University.
Alistair Kerr
Alistair represents Scottish members on the BASE National Executive Committee. He has been involved with Supported Employment & sustainable procurement since 2002. In 2012 Alistair supported The First Minister in Scotland to launch the Supported Business Advisory Board in partnership with Senior Procurement Officials from Central Government Procurement Directorate. This Board is still in operation today.
In 2012 he supported the First Minister to launch a ground breaking social enterprise in Scotland, in response to thousands of disabled workers being made redundant in the UK, enabling the Scottish Governments Sustainable Procurement Strategy & Duty to be enacted for those who meet the EU Procurement definitions to tender for such contracts from both the public & private sectors.
Alistair is a co-founder of three Supported Business Procurement Frameworks, Central Government Procurement, Scotland Excel & NHS Strategic Procurement.