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EY is set to open its first Neuro-Diverse Centre of Excellence (NCoE) in Manchester, to “fuel innovation in technology, bring a new dimension of creativity, and drive greater diversity and inclusion in the UK workplace”.
The firm said the NCoE is designed to “create a supportive working environment for individuals with cognitive differences – such as autism, dyslexia and ADHD – that will help them to apply their strengths and meet clients’ business needs in emerging technologies, such as: artificial intelligence, data analytics, automation, blockchain and cyber”.
Globally, EY already has six NCoEs in the US, three in Canada, one in India, one in Poland and one in Spain, with further expansion plans into Europe, South America and Asia Pacific.
The Manchester NCoE will draw on the experience of EY’s US practice, which opened its first NCoE in Philadelphia in 2016, spearheaded by Hiren Shukla, who is now EY’s Global and Americas Neuro-Diverse Centre of Excellence leader.
EY said Manchester was selected as the first location in the UK based on the “quality of local tech talent and the level of community engagement in the North of England”.
Stephen Church, Manchester office managing partner and north markets leader said: “I couldn’t be prouder that EY has selected Manchester and the North of England to locate the NCoE, recognising the innovative spirit in the city and the strength of the community we have locally.
“We have joined cities around the globe that are opening-up the world of work to neurodiverse individuals, whilst offering local businesses largely untapped talent to help fuel their growth in ways they haven’t imagined before.”
