DMA Talent aims to show

employers how adjustments to recruitment procedures and business environments

will enable them to tap into a highly talented pool of neurodiverse people.

According to the National Autistic Society there are around 700,000 people on the autism spectrum in the UK, of those, just 16% of autistic adults are in full-time, paid employment. With DMA Talent’s help, businesses can learn how to become more ‘neurodiverse friendly’, ensuring they are able to choose from a wider talent pool and seek out the most capable individuals for their roles.

Brands such as Direct Line Group argue data and marketing teams across the UK are overlooking a vast talent pool. The initiative wants to explain the straightforward adjustments that can be made for businesses to tap into this under-utilisted pool of people.

The campaign aims to raise awareness in data and marketing industries of the support needed for individuals with an autistic spectrum condition (ASC) to ensure they feel welcome and encouraged to take up roles where there specialised skills will be valued.

DMA Talent now has support from several leading experts to help spreadhead this initiative, including Matthew Trerise, who has 15 years’ experience working with individuals on the autism spectrum. Since 2009, he has worked in a specialised NHS diagnostic service to help develop their diagnostic programme and assist businesses with their training. He has advised multiple employers, including the HMRC, on alterations they should make to their recruitment procedures and working environment.

Mark Evans, group marketing director, Direct Line, said: “In terms of data and marketing teams across the UK,

we are missing out on a large talent pool that can be highly analytical

. Neurodiverse people, especially those on the autism spectrum, can often thrive with problem solving tasks, data analysis, and projects that require high attention to detail.”