Gavin Simpson ACMA CGMA is an award-winning chartered management accountant and motivational speaker who brings a rare combination of commercial expertise and lived experience to the stage. Advising high-profile boards including Jaguar Land Rover and Travis Perkins, Gavin is recognised for his ability to translate complex business challenges into practical, people-focused solutions. Following a life-changing autism diagnosis at the age of 44, he has become a powerful voice on neurodiversity, helping organisations unlock untapped talent, drive innovation and adapt to an increasingly AI-driven world.
Gavin’s career is a compelling example of resilience and reinvention. Leaving school with no qualifications, he began working in factories, tyre fitting bays and spent nearly a decade as a bin lorry driver. His breakthrough came when he joined National Tyres and Autocare as a branch manager, where he transformed team performance and earned regional Manager of the Year recognition. He later progressed through operational and analytical roles at Biffa and Travis Perkins, where he rose from Customer Service Expert to Financial Data Analyst, contributing to major system implementations and business improvements. Building on this momentum, Gavin moved into senior finance roles, including Management Accountant at Antylia Scientific and Finance Business Partner at Jaguar Land Rover, where he led financial transformation initiatives. He later founded Neuvantage, a business services company focused on improving systems and financial strategy.
Alongside his professional achievements, Gavin has earned industry recognition and contributed to influential platforms. He was named CIMA Student of the Year, reflecting both his technical excellence and leadership potential. As a TEDx speaker, his talk ‘Outliers – The Power of the Neurodivergent Mind’ challenges traditional thinking around education and performance in the age of AI. He is also the author of Binman to Boardroom, a candid account of his journey, and serves as a trustee for NeuroAI.Help, as well as a member of the RISE 2040 Advisory Panel for CIMA.
Gavin is hired as a motivational speaker because he offers more than inspiration; he delivers a framework for rethinking potential. His story resonates with individuals and organisations alike, demonstrating how perceived limitations can become strengths when understood correctly. By combining personal insight with board-level experience, Gavin equips audiences with actionable strategies to harness neurodiverse thinking, build inclusive cultures and thrive in a rapidly evolving technological landscape.
