Pete Wharmby

When? Tuesday 17th March 2026 at 10:15

Bestselling author of: ‘Untypical and ‘What I Want to Talk About’

After being diagnosed as autistic at the age of 34 in 2017, I have immersed myself in working to improve autistic awareness, acceptance and making the world a more suitable place for the neurodivergent community. I have spoken at a wide range of events and conferences since 2020 in the UK and in Europe and North America, both in person and remotely, sharing my insight and experience of being autistic and ADHD with businesses, governments, educational establishments and more.

I am active on LinkedIn, Instagram and on YouTube, where my channel is at over 3000 subscribers. I am a bestselling author: my first book, What I Want to Talk About, was published by Jessica Kingsley Publishers in September 2022, and my second book, Untypical, was published by HarperCollins in March 2023, with the paperback released in March 2024. I have also written a number of articles, interviews and book chapters, and appeared on BBC Radio 2. I am a former secondary English teacher and a father-of-one.

Hester Grainger

When? Tuesday 17th March 2026 at 11:30

Unmasked and Unapologetic: Women, Neurodiversity and the Power of Late Diagnosis

Join ADHD speaker, coach, and founder of Norfolk Women with ADHD, Hester Grainger, for an inspiring, interactive session exploring what it means to be a late-diagnosed neurodivergent woman. With honesty, humour, and lived experience, Hester shares her journey from masking to self-acceptance and pride, offering laughter, real talk, and practical insights into life through a neurodivergent lens. This engaging, safe space invites questions, connection, and curiosity – you’ll leave feeling seen, uplifted, and inspired.

Hester Grainger is a leading ADHD advocate, international keynote speaker, and neurodiversity consultant known for her authentic and empowering talks. Diagnosed with ADHD at 43, she combines personal insight with professional experience and storytelling. With a background in media and communications, Hester began her career at ITV, working on The Wright Stuff and Loose Women, before leading major PR campaigns for brands such as BMW and Sport Relief. She later hosted her own BBC radio show and is now a regular contributor across radio, press, and podcasts.

Alongside her autistic and ADHD husband, Kelly, she co-founded Perfectly Autistic, delivering neurodiversity training to organisations including Red Bull Racing, Sony Music, TUI, Marks & Spencer, and the NHS. In 2025, they launched Perfectly Autistic Academy and toured the UK with her acclaimed one-woman show ADHD Unmasked.

Kelly Grainger

When? Wednesday 18th March 2026 at 10:15

Unmasked at Work: Late Diagnosis, Neurodiversity and the Power of Understanding

When you’ve spent decades in the workplace unaware you’re neurodivergent, diagnosis can change everything.

In this open, thought-provoking session, Kelly Grainger shares his journey from corporate boardrooms to neurodiversity advocacy. He explores how his late diagnosis of autism and ADHD reshaped his identity, confidence, and communication – and what truly inclusive workplaces can look like. Expect honest reflections, real stories, and practical strategies you can apply immediately. The session is interactive and empowering, with time to ask Kelly questions. Whether you’re neurodivergent, a people leader, or simply curious, you’ll leave with clear, actionable ideas and a deeper understanding of how awareness can transform the way we work.

Kelly Grainger is an autistic and ADHD keynote speaker, workplace mediator, and neurodiversity consultant. After 23 years in senior corporate roles at PepsiCo, Interface, and Merlin Entertainments, his diagnoses in his forties gave him a new mission: to make workplaces better for people who think differently.

As co-founder of Perfectly Autistic, which he runs with his wife Hester, Kelly works with organisations including Red Bull Racing, TUI, Mind, GSK, and the NHS. Through Perfectly Autistic Academy, they now train and accredit others to deliver impactful neurodiversity education.

Kelly’s talks are real, relatable, and grounded in lived experience – because for him, this isn’t theory, it’s life.

Leon Knight-Smith

When? Wednesday 18th March 2026 at 11:30

OCD and Me: Understanding Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

I am the CEO of the Norfolk and Norwich SEND Association (Nansa) and co-creator of the Visible Festival. One of my personal ambitions for the festival has been to see Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) given a dedicated platform for discussion and understanding. OCD is widely misunderstood and can manifest in many different ways. While often seen as a standalone neurodivergent diagnosis, it is important to recognise its significant presence within the wider neurodivergent community.

I have lived with OCD for as long as I can remember, receiving a formal diagnosis at the age of 12, alongside PTSD and suspected ADHD. My experience of OCD, like everyone’s, is unique. For some, it can be profoundly debilitating; for me, it has been both a challenge and a constant companion at various points in my life.

OCD is part of who I am – the good, the bad, and the difficult. By sharing my lived experience, I hope to contribute to greater understanding, and to help break down the stigma and shame associated with sharing such experiences.