KELLY GRAINGER
SUPPLIER DIVERSITY
Supplier diversity is often viewed as a way to mitigate risk, ensuring businesses aren’ t overly reliant on a single source. While this is true, it doesn’ t represent the whole picture. Supply chains are evolving quickly, shaped by geopolitics, economic shifts and consumer expectations – so much so that making them more inclusive now offers a strategic advantage.
Diverse supply chains create jobs in underrepresented communities, stimulate economic growth and drive innovation by introducing fresh perspectives. In fact, research from the UK’ s Federation of Small Businesses( FSB) shows that diverse businesses are 11 % more likely to have engaged in recent product or service innovation. As a result, an inclusive supplier network strengthens connections with customers, broadens market insights and, ultimately, boosts competitiveness.
Having said this, ensuring fair labour practices, opening up opportunities for underrepresented groups and building truly diverse supplier networks is a large task to address in one fell swoop. It is important to consult those with lived experience and knowledge of how to implement these initiatives, such as husband and wife team Kelly and Hester Grainger, Co-Founders of Perfectly Autistic. With a combined total of more than 45 years’ work experience, they help industry leaders understand the importance of neuro-inclusivity to ensure a thriving work environment.
KELLY GRAINGER
TITLE: CO-FOUNDER COMPANY: PERFECTLY AUTISTIC INDUSTRY: CONSULTANCY
Kelly, an autistic and ADHD neurodiversity consultant, co-founded Perfectly Autistic with his wife Hester to promote workplace neurodiversity awareness and support through training and mediation.
Neurodiversity: An overlooked supply chain asset“ Being neuro-inclusive is an essential part of any genuine DE & I( diversity, equity and inclusion) strategy,” asserts Kelly.“ They ensure that workplaces are accessible, fair and supportive for everyone – including the estimated 20 % of the workforce that is neurodivergent.”
This is an attitude the team at SumUp have adopted, recognising the unique strengths of neurodivergent individuals and actively supporting them by raising awareness, adapting workspaces and offering flexible working.
Kelly reiterates this, saying:“ We’ ve worked with organisations who have embraced staff to let them be themselves whether that’ s providing written instructions, rather than verbal, offering noise-cancelling headphones, or flexible work schedules. Companies often find that not only do they retain talent that had previously been
126 April 2025