I learned early in life that seeing the world differently is not a limitation. It is a strength that can inspire understanding, opportunity and lasting change.

Profile 

I am a dedicated, confident and conscientious individual with a professional approach to my working life. Driven by a determination to succeed despite the challenges I experience as a neurodiverse person, I take great pride in the work I do and the organisations I have had the privilege to contribute to. Over more than twenty years across education, event and business management, retail and the not for profit sector, I have developed a versatile skill set that allows me to support businesses, education, enterprise and the wider third sector with clarity, empathy and strategic insight.

My connection to dyslexia began in childhood. One of my earliest memories is standing in the playground at primary school between four tall trees, playing on my own and imagining I was Robin Hood, already aware that I experienced the world differently. At the age of eight or nine I was taken to the Dyslexia Institute in Leicestershire for an assessment. I remember climbing the stairs, meeting the assessor and later being told by my mum that I was dyslexic. It felt like an answer that explained so much about who I was. Even though I was not alone in that journey, the stress and anxiety were very real. I describe it now as similar to the feeling many people have when visiting the dentist, a sense of worry that lingers even when support is present. My parents gave me unwavering support, taking me to the Leicestershire Dyslexia Association for sessions every week. Those evenings and Saturday mornings shaped my understanding of myself and helped me realise I was not alone, even when the emotions were overwhelming.

This was the beginning of my lifelong involvement in the dyslexia community. As a young person I attended national events, contributed to committees and became increasingly connected with the British Dyslexia Association. School life brought its own challenges. In high school I was told by members of staff that I would never amount to anything because I could not read. Yet I also remember the teachers who believed in me, the SEN team who supported me and the opportunities that emerged when I discovered my passion for computers. By upper school I was identified as one of the most severely dyslexic students they would support, and that experience helped me appreciate the value of human connection and practical help. It also shaped the resilience and self belief that I carry into my work today.

My early working life ranged widely. I volunteered in youth work, supported small charities with IT, became a labourer for a short period and worked in retail, eventually becoming a supervisor and contributing to new store openings. Although this period was challenging and often emotionally difficult, it also helped me grow personally and led me to meet my wife, who continues to be my greatest support. A turning point came when I experienced disciplinary action without my dyslexia being taken into account, which prompted me to rethink my future and return to a field that truly aligned with my values.

I joined the British Dyslexia Association as Membership Development Officer, spending five and a half years working across membership, local associations, commercial events, marketing and the wider development of the charity. After being made redundant in 2016, I moved into a period of entrepreneurial growth, building three career paths that shaped the next decade. I founded SEND Group to deliver personalised professional development for education, created the United Kingdoms first national exhibition dedicated to dyslexia and neurodiversity at the NEC in Birmingham, and developed businesses that support learning and accessibility. I also continued my commitment to the British Dyslexia Association, becoming a Non Executive Director and later Vice Chair. Alongside this, I completed a five year contract with the Microsoft engineering team as their Dyslexia and SEND Consultant within the education sector, focusing on accessibility and inclusive design.

Throughout this time I remained committed to driving forward awareness and understanding of dyslexia, business and entrepreneurship. My work has included coaching, advisory positions and non executive director roles, supporting organisations to think differently and act with confidence. Life has also brought significant personal challenges, including supporting my wife through kidney failure and her transplant in 2016, managing the pressures of the pandemic, and experiencing the loss of our daughter Clara in 2022. These moments have changed me deeply and strengthened my belief that progress requires compassion, resilience and the ability to see the world through many perspectives.

As we move forward and carry these experiences with us, the conception of See Differently reflects the values that shape my work. It is built on lived experience, independent thought and a commitment to inclusion, disability and accessibility. It aims to encourage understanding, support better decision making and empower people across business, education and life. At its heart sits a belief in resilience, fairness, empathy and the importance of recognising the strengths that come from difference. Through See Differently, I continue to share knowledge, champion positive change and build a movement that helps others to move forward with confidence and clarity.

Working with Arran

At the core of Arran’s work is the belief that inclusion and understanding open doors to opportunity. Through consultancy, coaching, non executive leadership, speaking, and training, he helps individuals and organisations translate awareness into meaningful action and growth. Every partnership begins with listening, collaboration, and a shared goal of creating progress through understanding.

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