Leeds Neurodivergence Specialist Targets Growth With New Jobs

A Leeds-based consultancy, which champions neurodivergence in the workplace, is embarking on major expansion plans after support from the West Yorkshire Good Growth Programme.

Founded by husband-and-wife team Matthew and Joanna Timmis, Aim Forward is expecting the launch of new services and technology to create significant opportunities in the corporate world, with the potential to create 15 new jobs over the next three years.

The organisation has already supported 50 businesses from the tech, health and professional services space through assessments, coaching, training and consultancy, with the focus now on introducing a new digital screening tool in 2026.

This will make neurodiversity support more accessible, data-driven and faster for individuals and organisations.

West Yorkshire Good Growth Programme provided the team with expert coaching, peer-to-peer mentoring and training to help them make the move into the B2B environment, creating a scalable sales funnel and encouraging them to form partnerships with complimentary service providers.

It is an approach that is working, with revenues up 170% in 2025 and clients, including the NHS, Leeds City Council and Staywell Occupational Health, all using the firm’s tailored services.

“Neurodivergence is used when a person thinks, learns, and processes information differently,” explained Joanna Timmis, who initially started the business with Matthew in 2012.

“Common types of neurodivergence we support in the workplace include ADHD, autism, dyslexia, dyspraxia and dyscalculia and we can also help corporate clients with mental health and medical conditions in the workplace too.”

She continued: “We want to champion neurodivergence not as a challenge, but as a strength and the attitude is definitely changing. Approaches have become a lot more proactive, and we can accelerate these strategies on behalf of businesses.

“This trend will only increase with a new legislation coming in that will require large UK employers to report neurodivergent pay gaps by 2026. With only around 1% of employees currently disclosing such diagnoses, despite an estimated 25% of the population being neurodivergent, our work is not just timely; it’s essential.”

The Good Growth Programme, which is delivered by Oxford Innovation Advice and funded by the West Yorkshire Combined Authority (WYCA) and the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, is designed to unlock the potential of expanding companies in the region.

All businesses taking part in the initiative receive a GROWTHmapper® diagnostic that uncovers strengths and weaknesses, before benefitting from one-to-one specialist coaching and a series of action-driven masterclasses to overcome challenges and make the most of new opportunities.

“Being a business owner can be incredibly lonely,” added Matthew Timmis. “You’re expected to be an expert in everything. The Good Growth Programme gave us access to people who’d done it before and are willing to walk alongside us, which has seen our revenues soar.

“Podcasts and books are great, but nothing replaces sitting down, one-to-one with someone who listens, challenges, and helps you build the path forward. The connections the programme provided were also invaluable in helping us diversify.”

West Yorkshire Good Growth Client Manager Jas Hayre was introduced to Joanna and Matthew in early 2025. He said:

“They have successfully moved their industry-leading neurodivergence offer into the corporate world and are changing the way employers view individuals with specific needs, making them central to their approach."

“We have supported them with access to peer-mentoring workshops and, in 2025, more detailed one-on-one support and signposting to other organisations who can help them on their journey, including the Huddersfield Health Innovation Incubator.”

He concluded: “This external advice and guidance has given the company the platform to build sales significantly and press the button on a recruitment drive that could create up to 15 new jobs in this specialist field.”