Supporting the Keep Britain Working Agenda: Neurodiversity, Insurance and the Vanguard Scheme

The recent Keep Britain Working Review, led by Sir Charlie Mayfield highlights a growing consensus that workplace health and inclusion drive economic growth and social wellbeing. More than 60 major employers and public bodies are collaborating on prevention, early support and improved return-to-work pathways to reduce economic inactivity and strengthen productivity.

The insurance sector is playing a leading role in this movement. Corporate participation in the Vanguard scheme demonstrates how insurers can contribute expertise in risk, rehabilitation and employee wellbeing. These efforts recognise that disability inclusion and neurodiversity are central to building resilient workplaces and unlocking human potential.

As corporate members of GAIN, Zurich Insurance, Aviva and Axa Health are leading the way and have joined forces with other insurance companies, such as Unum UK, Phoenix Group, Vitality UK. Bupa and Simplyhealth as part of the vanguard scheme. Demonstrating that workplace health and inclusion are critical to productivity and economic growth within the insurance and investment industry.

The Vanguard scheme is an employer-led programme designed to pilot new approaches to workplace health over three years. Participants will:

• Develop interventions that support employee wellbeing and sustained employment

• Embrace the healthy working lifecycle framework, focusing on prevention and early support

• Share evidence and insights to shape future standards and best practice

• Collaborate across sectors to address economic inactivity and improve outcomes

This partnership approach recognises that ill-health and disability are significant drivers of economic inactivity. By working together employers can reduce barriers to work and create environments where diverse talent flourishes.

The insurance and investment sectors are uniquely positioned to drive change. By applying principles of risk prevention and early intervention to workplace health, they can:

• Support employees to remain in work through timely adjustments

• Offer rehabilitation and return-to-work pathways that benefit individuals and employers

• Share insights to improve understanding of health, productivity and inclusion

• Champion disability inclusion and neurodiversity across the wider economy

Inclusive workplaces are stronger, more innovative and better equipped to meet the challenges of a changing economy. Neurodivergent employees often excel in roles requiring analytical rigour and attention to detail—skills that enhance organisational performance and customer outcomes. They bring valuable skills and perspectives to the workplace, including creativity, analytical thinking and problem solving, attributes highly prized in the insurance and investment industries. However, many still face barriers to employment and career progression. Representation within the Keep Britain Working agenda and Vanguard initiatives is therefore essential.

The Keep Britain Working agenda presents an opportunity to embed neurodiversity within broader efforts to improve workplace health and economic participation. Through collaboration across insurance and investment, the community of GAIN (Group for Autism, Insurance and Neurodiversity) is uniquely positioned to galvanise collective action, bringing industry partners together so workplaces become environments where everyone, regardless of difference can contribute, thrive, and unlock their full potential.

Next Steps – A Call to Action

We invite our corporate partners and other insurance and investment organisations to:

• Join GAIN (Group for Autism, Insurance and Neurodiversity) corporate community

• Share insights and best practice on neuroinclusive workplace strategies

• Engage with the Keep Britain Working and Vanguard initiatives

• Support research that improves outcomes for neurodivergent employees

Together, we can shape a future where workplaces are inclusive, innovative, and resilient. If your organisation in the insurance or investment sector wishes to contribute to this vital work, please contact us by emailing liselle@gaintogether.org.  

Collaboration will drive meaningful progress and ensure neurodivergent people are represented in the next chapter of workplace health and economic inclusion.