Lydia Harris
(She/Her - Autistic)
About me
Lydia Harris is an award-winning Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DE&I) Specialist and neuroinclusion consultant, recognised for her impactful work advancing accessibility and equity for neurodivergent individuals across the workplace and wider society. With a strong blend of strategic leadership, technical expertise, and lived experience, Lydia has become a trusted voice in shaping inclusive environments that enable people to thrive.
Over the past five years, Lydia has served as a DE&I Specialist within a global accountancy firm, where she has led the design and delivery of the organisation’s entire neurodiversity agenda. As the sole DE&I practitioner, she built the company’s Neurodiversity Network, authored its Neurodiversity Policy, and developed a comprehensive neurodiversity strategy from the ground up—embedding inclusive practices across a workforce of over 2,000 employees. Her work has directly supported employees through tailored coaching and guidance, while also influencing senior leadership and HR functions to adopt more inclusive, evidence-based approaches.
A qualified Neurodiversity Workplace Needs Assessor (Level 4), Lydia has completed over 25 Workplace Needs Assessments, providing practical, person-centred recommendations that enable neurodivergent individuals to perform at their best. Her expertise is further strengthened by her strong analytical capability, leading on organisational DE&I data collection, survey design, and reporting to drive measurable change and accountability.
Lydia is an experienced and engaging speaker, regularly contributing to podcasts, webinars, and panel discussions. She has partnered with professional bodies such as the ICAEW to deliver thought leadership on neuroinclusion, and has designed and delivered training ranging from bespoke small-group workshops to large-scale organisational sessions and e-learning programmes. Her work consistently translates complex concepts into accessible, actionable insights for diverse audiences.
Beyond the corporate environment, Lydia is a passionate advocate for systemic change. She has collaborated with the National Autistic Society as both a former Young Ambassador and freelance contributor, supporting campaigns, media engagement, and content development. Her influence extends into public policy, having been called to give evidence to a Parliamentary House of Lords Select Committee reviewing the Autism Act, where she contributed her expertise to national discussions on improving outcomes for autistic people.
Lydia also serves as an advisor on neuro-accessibility within the UK Parliament as an Autistic Champion, helping to shape more inclusive public engagement practices. Her commitment to safeguarding and wellbeing is reflected in her Designated Safeguarding Lead (Level 3) qualification, ensuring her work is underpinned by strong ethical and protective frameworks.
Her contributions have been formally recognised through accolades including a High Commendation from the Business Disability Forum’s Disability Smart D&I Professional Award and recognition from the Inspiring Workplaces Awards.
Driven by both professional expertise and personal commitment, Lydia Harris continues to be a leading force in neuroinclusion—bridging strategy and lived experience to create workplaces and systems where neurodivergent individuals are not only supported, but empowered to succeed.
Over the past five years, Lydia has served as a DE&I Specialist within a global accountancy firm, where she has led the design and delivery of the organisation’s entire neurodiversity agenda. As the sole DE&I practitioner, she built the company’s Neurodiversity Network, authored its Neurodiversity Policy, and developed a comprehensive neurodiversity strategy from the ground up—embedding inclusive practices across a workforce of over 2,000 employees. Her work has directly supported employees through tailored coaching and guidance, while also influencing senior leadership and HR functions to adopt more inclusive, evidence-based approaches.
A qualified Neurodiversity Workplace Needs Assessor (Level 4), Lydia has completed over 25 Workplace Needs Assessments, providing practical, person-centred recommendations that enable neurodivergent individuals to perform at their best. Her expertise is further strengthened by her strong analytical capability, leading on organisational DE&I data collection, survey design, and reporting to drive measurable change and accountability.
Lydia is an experienced and engaging speaker, regularly contributing to podcasts, webinars, and panel discussions. She has partnered with professional bodies such as the ICAEW to deliver thought leadership on neuroinclusion, and has designed and delivered training ranging from bespoke small-group workshops to large-scale organisational sessions and e-learning programmes. Her work consistently translates complex concepts into accessible, actionable insights for diverse audiences.
Beyond the corporate environment, Lydia is a passionate advocate for systemic change. She has collaborated with the National Autistic Society as both a former Young Ambassador and freelance contributor, supporting campaigns, media engagement, and content development. Her influence extends into public policy, having been called to give evidence to a Parliamentary House of Lords Select Committee reviewing the Autism Act, where she contributed her expertise to national discussions on improving outcomes for autistic people.
Lydia also serves as an advisor on neuro-accessibility within the UK Parliament as an Autistic Champion, helping to shape more inclusive public engagement practices. Her commitment to safeguarding and wellbeing is reflected in her Designated Safeguarding Lead (Level 3) qualification, ensuring her work is underpinned by strong ethical and protective frameworks.
Her contributions have been formally recognised through accolades including a High Commendation from the Business Disability Forum’s Disability Smart D&I Professional Award and recognition from the Inspiring Workplaces Awards.
Driven by both professional expertise and personal commitment, Lydia Harris continues to be a leading force in neuroinclusion—bridging strategy and lived experience to create workplaces and systems where neurodivergent individuals are not only supported, but empowered to succeed.