Branson-backed ASD tech consultancy arrives in Australia 

Auticon is a global consultancy business bank-rolled by Richard Branson and the Porsche family, providing employment support for tech-minded professionals on the autism spectrum.

It is estimated that at least 1 in 100 people in Australia have autism. Of those individuals, many will find difficulty gaining permanent, meaningful employment. Auticon is an IT consultancy and social enterprise looking to change that, globally.

According to the global social enterprise’s latest impact report, consultants who participate in its program feel 92 per cent more supported at work, 79 per cent more confident, 91 per cent more valued for who they are, with 82 per cent of participants feeling they can be their authentic selves.

CEO of Auticon Australia and New Zealand Bodo Mann was brought on to lead the Australian arm of the business following a successful career as a CEO, director, consultant and executive recruiter.

He said the consultancy firm was launched in Germany after its founder Kurt Schöffer saw so many highly talented and intelligent individuals often fall into long-term unemployment.

“Today we are part of a global business with 28 offices in eight countries,” Mann said

“About three years ago we were only in five European countries. From there we went into France, the UK and Italy and then into Canada and now Australia and we are about to launch in New Zealand and then grow into the Asia Pacific,” he said.

Auticon currently employs 280 consultants who are all on the autism spectrum. The consultancy works by utilising a 360 degree support model with job coaches, some are psychologists, some technical coaches, who support the ASD consultants as they begin their position consulting for a range of large Australian organisations, such as Woolworths corporate.

“The job coaches are critical to make sure they are properly supported, but are also helping our partnering businesses to create successful neurodiverse employment models,” he says.

Auticon is the only company of its kind that is a social enterprise.

Mann says what is provided for individuals employed by Auticon is a tribe.

“It creates a  closely knit fabric of support and community. Many of our consultants were unemployed for many years and now have social and financial stability,” he says.

Project structure

Mann says for those companies interested in setting up a program within their company, Auticon begins the program with a 3-6 month pilot with 99 per cent of the pilots transferring into multi-year projects. Woolworths, Vanguard and other ASX 200 listed companies are among Auticon’s clients.

“Our clientele tends to be the larger end of the corporate market.

“We are IT professionals. 100 per cent of what I am trying to do here is break the paradigm that autism is a charity topic when it is not,” he says.

“It’s an innovation topic. It’s a productivity topic. The holy grail for corporate success is innovation, is to be able to think through innovations and those with ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder) are often best placed to find those innovative solutions, especially in an IT space,” he explained.

“The theme we are trying to push and we can prove is that it is not a matter of doing the right thing. It actually makes sense. If you put the support in place. It is amazing what you can achieve with neurodiverse talent.

“Our experience with corporate is that we approach them with a pilot and in that time we get everyone in a routine and create value.”

Funding

“Australia is three years behind Europe in truly embracing neurodiversity in general,” Mann continues.

“The support model is expensive. We employ our consultants and then of course the clients pay a consultation free for their services.

“We operate on very thin margins. Eventually the model was proven over a ten year period. It does eventually pay for itself,” he says.

“Sir Richard Branson and the Porsche Company have invested heavily to make sure this is a success.”

Virgin founder Sir Richard Branson attended the Australian launch and spoke about the importance of neurodiversity in boosting business performance, as well as the need for companies to adopt a more inclusive approach to their operations.

“We’re in the business of changing business for good”, Branson said.

“[Individuals on the spectrum] often have wonderful cognitive abilities – such as logic, pattern recognition, precision, and concentration – yet many find it difficult to secure mainstream employment. 

“Auticon taps into this potential, producing a great solution for clients and people on the spectrum, as well as for society,” he said.

Branson became an investor in Auticon in October 2016 and since then both Virgin Money and Virgin Management have become clients. 

Auticon’s proven business model now employs over 200 autistic consultants across the globe, delivering some of the most challenging IT projects.

“My dyslexia has given me a massive advantage in life,” Branson said in Sydney.

“It has helped me to think creatively and laterally, and to simplify things, which has been a huge asset when building our Virgin businesses. 

“I think it goes without saying that every company, from start-ups to large multinationals, should view neurodiversity, as in fact any other form of diversity, as a great driver of innovation and, ultimately, success.”