Alan Thornburrow has been appointed the new CEO of Salvesen Mindroom Centre (SMC) and will start in his new role on 28th March 2022.
SMC is now in its third decade of supporting and campaigning for people who are neurodivergent. Its vision is to create a world in which no mind is left behind. SMC’s team of specialists bring together a wide range of expertise across the entire organisation to support, inform and empower neurodivergent individuals to flourish and lead fulfilling lives.
SMC is complemented by a unique partnership with the Salvesen Mindroom Research Centre (SMRC), within the Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences at The University of Edinburgh. The research team is creating new knowledge about neurodiversity and SMC and SMRC are using that knowledge to design, evaluate and deliver ways to enable people to thrive.
In March 2023 SMC and SMRC are jointly hosting a major international conference entirely focused on the concept and reality of neurodiversity. The conference, titled ‘It Takes All Kinds of Minds’ – ITAKOM – will be hosted at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre. ITAKOM will give further momentum to SMC’s ambitions and our mission to ensure that no mind is left behind.
Building upon these strong foundations, Alan has been appointed to extend SMC’s reach and increase the impact of the Charity’s work across the UK and internationally.
Alan joins from HRH The Prince of Wales’ Responsible Business Network, Business in the Community Scotland, where he worked across the public, private and voluntary sectors on sustainability, inclusion and wellbeing. He is an Honorary Professor at Glasgow Caledonian University’s School for Business & Society, a past Vice Chairman of Career Ready in Scotland and a current member of the Scottish Government’s National Suicide Prevention Leadership Group.
Commenting on Alan’s appointment, Sandy Manson, SMC Chair, said:
“Having been inspired by the work of Salvesen Mindroom Centre I was delighted to take up the role of Chairman in March 2021. I was convinced then, and remain so now, that the unique insight, experience and research SMC offers can help both individuals and organisations to understand neurodiversity, value the talents and skills of all and truly ensure that no mind is left behind. The appointment of Alan as our new CEO is a commitment to this very ambition and I am thrilled to welcome him to the team.”
Incoming CEO, Alan Thornburrow, said:
“During the four years I have headed up Business in the Community Scotland, I have been fortunate to lead and challenge businesses, government and other stakeholders on adopting and embedding inclusion so that all individuals can play their full part in the many and varied challenges we face as a society. The opportunity to lead SMC at such a pivotal moment in its 21 year history is a privilege and I look forward to working with the teams at SMC, SMRC, with Sandy and the Trustees to ensure no mind is left behind.”
