Send for Kelly: Woodley man needs your votes

A WOODLEY businessman has been nominated for The Entrepreneur of Excellence Awards at the National Diversity Awards 2021.

Kelly Grainger, 44, was diagnosed with autism in 2019, after 23 years in the corporate world.

He has now been celebrated for his work raising awareness and understanding of autism and neurodiversity in the workplace.

Mr Grainger, co-founder Perfectly Autistic, said: “I have always felt different but just assumed that everyone felt like me.

“It was only when our children were diagnosed and my wife would send me information about autism, did I realise that I might be autistic too.

“Following my official diagnosis,

I decided that I had found my purpose in life – raising awareness, understanding and acceptance of autism in the workplace.”

Mr Grainger said the response to his diagnosis was mostly positive, aside from the company he worked for at the time.

He said the diagnosis was met with ignorance and negativity, which led to an “epiphany” to change his career.

“Since my diagnosis I’ve worked with some great organisations helping them to understand and adopt neurodiverse best practices in their workplace,” he said.

“I also spoke at The Autism Show 2020.

“It’s made me realise that it’s never too late to discover who you really are and start living your life.

“Being nominated for

The Entrepreneur of Excellence Awards at the National Diversity Awards 2021, is the icing on the cake.”

This year, Mr Grainger was invited to speak at the United Nations Global Compact Network UK. He has also worked with Heathrow Express promoting the Hidden Disabilities sunflower lanyard scheme and partnered with O2.

� For more information, or to vote for Mr Grainger in the awards, visit: www.nationaldiversityawards.co.uk/ nominee-map and search for Kelly Grainger, Reading UK.