Meet the leaders driving hospitality’s neurodiverse future
It’s no longer just about ticking inclusion boxes. Cognitive diversity is increasingly recognised as a competitive advantage, fueling new approaches to creativity, leadership and team culture in hospitality.
At this year’s Shine People & Culture Summit, held on Thursday 22nd May, industry leaders gathered to explore what it means to move beyond acknowledgement and start embedding neurodiversity into the way hospitality businesses operate and grow.
We heard from a dynamic panel including Dorothea Jones, CEO and Founder of Inclusivation, Ted Blackwell, Head of Digital Development at Springboard, and Hannah Plumb, Talent & Culture Director at The Alchemist.
Together, they shared how leading organisations are creating more inclusive, high-performing cultures by embracing cognitive difference and why that shift is already delivering results.
Dorothea Jones: Designing workplaces for every brain
As the founder of Inclusivation, Dorothea Jones has helped businesses across hospitality, retail and tech rethink how they recruit, train and lead.
Her approach is rooted in both psychology and operational practicality, showing that inclusion isn’t about adding more. It's about working differently. By designing for neurodiversity from the ground up, Inclusivation helps businesses unlock hidden potential within their existing teams.
At Shine, Dorothea hosted the panel discussion and shared how neuroinclusive strategies are already transforming performance and retention across the sector.
Ted Blackwell: Making digital learning inclusive by default
Digital innovation in hospitality is only meaningful if it’s accessible to everyone.
At Springboard, Ted Blackwell is leading efforts to ensure training and development platforms are designed with neurodiversity in mind, making learning accessible, intuitive and welcoming to people from all backgrounds and neurotypes.
By embedding accessibility into digital design, Ted offered a practical lens on how inclusive tech can open doors to the industry rather than create barriers.
At Shine, he highlighted how inclusive digital tools are key to attracting and developing the next generation of hospitality talent.
Hannah Plumb: Culture that champions individuality
Known for its theatrical guest experiences, The Alchemist has also become a standout example of inclusive workplace culture.
As Talent and Culture Director, Hannah Plumb is shaping an environment where individuality is not just accepted but actively celebrated. Under her leadership, The Alchemist has cultivated spaces where neurodivergent team members feel safe, seen and supported to succeed.
At Shine, Hannah shared how a culture rooted in authenticity and psychological safety is helping the brand build stronger, more resilient teams, without compromising its bold identity.
Reframing the Future of Inclusion
For businesses exploring how to integrate neurodiversity into their operations, the Shine panel offered clear takeaways: inclusion must be intentional, practical and embedded, not an afterthought or a checklist.
From designing more accessible tech and training to shaping leadership mindsets and cultural norms, it’s clear that cognitive diversity isn’t just good for people, it’s a smart, forward-thinking business strategy.
Read our full Shine 2025 recap to dive deeper into the conversations and learnings that are shaping the future of hospitality leadership.
