Marsh McLennan champions autism awareness

Marsh McLennan is the first UK employer to receive “autism confidence” status from charity Ambitious about Autism.

The announcement follows a three-year partnership with the charity, which saw the firm uphaul its internal communications and recruitment process to raise awareness and drive positive change.

In a report, Marsh McLennan called on other employers to work towards the same status and noted the instrumental impact it has had on raising awareness of the charity.

“Together, Marsh McLennan and Ambitious about Autism have amplified the voices of autistic young people, provided life-changing job opportunities, enriched the work culture, brought fresh perspectives and enhanced colleague engagement through autism-awareness training,” the report said.

The partnership empowered the firm’s autistic colleagues to share their stories of securing employment at both internal and external events.

Each year, the organisation will continue to recognise World Autism Acceptance Month through campaigns that showcase awareness with storytelling, videos, and podcasts.

“Marsh McLennan has committed to continually reviewing the hiring process to ensure that it’s accessible and inclusive, helping to attract, recruit and retain autistic talent,” the report added.

Jennifer Ainslie, head of EMEA marketing and communications at Guy Carpenter, took to LinkedIn to congratulate the team on the achievement.

Chris Lay, chief executive officer at Marsh McLennan, said: “Through elevating the voices of our autistic colleagues, we have changed our workplace for the better and hope to inspire others within our sector to do the same.”

Marsh McLennan is a professional services firm with businesses including Mercer Investments, Guy Carpenter, Marsh, and Oliver Wyman.