auticon Announces Group CEO Transition: Kurt Schöffer Retires, Luke Williams Appointed as New Group CEO

auticon, the award-winning, global social enterprise empowering client organisations to become neuroinclusive, today announced that Group CEO Kurt Schöffer retired on December 31, 2024. Luke Williams, OBE, has succeeded Schöffer as auticon’s Group CEO, effective January 1, 2025.

Kurt Schöffer retires

Kurt Schöffer has been with auticon since its early days, playing an instrumental role in its development and success, including its recent merger with Unicus. As one of the company’s first investors and the CEO since 2013, Kurt guided auticon through a period of rapid growth, positioning the organisation as a trailblazer in the inclusion of neurodivergent employees in the workplace. Under his leadership, auticon expanded globally, serving clients in Europe, North America, and Asia-Pacific and attracting notable investors such as Ferd, an Oslo-based family-owned investment company, and Virgin’s Sir Richard Branson, who is neurodivergent himself.

Under Kurt’s guidance, auticon developed an award-winning reputation for creating career opportunities in tech for individuals on the autism spectrum and became a catalyst in helping companies support neurodivergent talent.

“Early in my career, I fell in love with the idea of social impact investing – using business methodology to help solve social problems,” said Kurt Schöffer. “When I joined auticon, I believed in our unique model to make a real difference in how businesses value neurodivergent talent. Today, that vision is a reality, and I’m confident that auticon is well-positioned to continue its growth and impact under new leadership.”

Luke Williams brings a wealth of experience

Luke Williams brings a wealth of experience in leadership and strategy across multiple industries. Prior to joining auticon, Luke was the CEO of Elements Talent Consultancy, a pioneering firm in the “Embedded Talent Consultancy” model. With a strong track record in business consulting and corporate leadership, Luke started his career at Accenture (then Andersen Consulting) as a Business Analyst and Senior Manager, focusing on strategy consulting for investment banking and energy clients. He also served as Managing Partner at Kurt Salmon (now part of Accenture Strategy), where he played a crucial role in several landmark acquisitions.

Luke’s entrepreneurial spirit is also reflected in his significant contributions to the UK’s startup ecosystem, notably his tenure as Chair of the Start Up Loans Company, a government-backed initiative that has supported thousands of entrepreneurs across the UK. In recognition of his work promoting entrepreneurship, Luke was awarded an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 2018.

“I am thrilled to join auticon at such a pivotal moment,” said Luke Williams. “Kurt has done an extraordinary job leading this company, and I am deeply committed to building on his legacy. auticon’s focus on creating an inclusive, neurodivergent workforce is both inspiring and necessary, and I look forward to working with our talented team to advance our mission and create even more opportunities for neurodivergent professionals.”

The state of employment for neurodivergent individuals

The state of employment of neurodivergent individuals, including autism, ADHD, dyslexia, and other neurodivergent conditions, has improved in recent years, but significant challenges remain. While awareness of neurodiversity in the workplace is growing, many neurodivergent individuals still face barriers to employment, such as bias, bullying, lack of inclusive hiring practices, and insufficient workplace accommodations. Data shows that neurodivergent people are underrepresented in the workforce, with unemployment rates for individuals on the autism spectrum, for example, remaining higher than the general population—often exceeding 70%.  

An estimated 20% of the global population are neurodivergent. 

About auticon

We empower organisations to become authentically neuroinclusive by delivering expert guidance and exceptional IT solutions from our own neurodivergent talent. Our comprehensive neuroinclusion services and unique lived experience are enabling forward-thinking organisations to attract, retain and reap the benefits of neurodivergent talent: driving the people sustainability agenda, providing a competitive advantage, and creating an enviable inclusive culture that delivers both economic and social value.

In 2023, auticon joined forces with Unicus, where the two combined companies have become the largest autistic-majority company in the world, with approximately 81% of its employees on the autism spectrum.

Investors include Ferd, Autism Impact Fund, Ananda Impact Ventures, KOIS, Felix Porsche, Sir Richard Branson, Ferst Capital Partners and Esmée Fairbairn Foundation.

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