The celebrity chef and restauranteur said he believes his mental health conditions have been closely linked to his success and hopes this can be the case for more people
Heston Blumenthal is advocating for a shift in perspectives towards neurodiversity in the workplace after being diagnosed as bipolar.
The renowned chef and restaurant owner revealed that he received his mental health condition diagnosis recently, having previously been positively assessed for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in 2017. His belief is that his own neurodivergence has largely contributed to his success in business and he hopes his story will encourage more employers to change their attitidues to mental health.
The TV chef operates several restaurants, including the three Michelin star Fat Duck, two Michelin star Dinner by Heston Blumenthal, Michelin-starred Hind’s Head, and the Perfectionists’ Cafe. Blumenthal considers that there needs to do more to incorporate neurodivergent individuals into the workplace, stating they are “woefully underrepresented”.
“These are individuals who may have exceptional skills and unparalleled abilities yet because of traditional ways of working, we are missing out on the brilliance they can bring to UK business,” he observed. In being transparent about his personal mental health journey, he hopes to shed light on the issue and intends to bring attention to the unique things neurodiverse people can contribute to the professional environment.
Blumenthal commissioned research which found that over one in 10 respondents (11%) had been officially identified as neurodivergent. Roughly 21% of these people were uninvolved in both full time and part-time paid work.
The study also revealed that 47% of UK adults with a neurodiverse condition believe it has made their job search more difficult. In a separate study, many companies admitted they still have a long way to go in terms of inclusivity for neurodivergent individuals.
A survey involving FTSE 350 board directors and HR professionals found that 37% of respondents rated their company’s understanding of its neurodivergent employees as average or poor. The chef said: “My most artistic, innovative and exciting work is because I am neurodivergent, which I describe as my superpower. The world needs to move on from outdated and archaic misinterpretations of perceived difference, and embrace the opportunities neurodiversity presents.”
Sinead Devine-French, chief science officer of The Positive Group, said: “Embracing neurodiversity in the workplace isn’t just a nice-to-have it can be a strategic game-changer. Recognising that every individual brings a unique blend of strengths, cognitive experiences and perspectives enriches our thinking and propels our creativity.”
“Leaders at the forefront know all too well the perils of the echo chamber. Increasing neurodiversity is their secret weapon to shatter this, enhancing the collective intelligence that thrives within diverse teams.”
