Testimonials
What leaders, organisations, and educators say about working with Simon Preston and CognAlign
What leaders, organisations, and educators say about working with Simon Preston and CognAlign
2026
“Simon was a fantastic speaker at our Neurodiversity Conference: The Future of Work last Friday. He brought real insight to the conversation and spoke about neurodiversity in a way that was clear, thoughtful, and engaging. He made the topic feel both informed and practical, helping people think differently about neurodiversity. Simon added real value to the event and left a strong impression on the audience. He has a rare talent for conveying important ideas without overcomplicating them.
A brilliant speaker and a powerful voice in the neurodiversity space.”
2025
“Simon’s talk at the Trauma Connection conference in Ireland was one of the most impactful sessions I have ever attended. He moved the audience deeply and offered profound insights into the lived experiences of those who struggle in school. His ability to connect emotionally while offering practical, strategic understanding is exceptional. I would strongly recommend Simon’s talk for any school or organisation.”
2024
“I’ve known Simon for a couple of years and collaborated with him on several projects. His talk at the Neurodiversity Conference in Ireland was the most impactful of the day. He is highly skilled, deeply knowledgeable, and brings a wealth of lived experience. I would recommend him for speaker engagements, training, and advocacy work without hesitation.”
2023
“Simon is delightful, fantastic, open, honest, and authentic. His session on autism awareness was one of our highest‑rated events. He created a safe environment where colleagues felt comfortable asking questions they might not normally ask. Simon shared his own vulnerabilities to educate others, and as a result, colleagues left with a much deeper understanding of autism, its varied impacts, and how to challenge unconscious biases. A truly powerful session.”
2023
“I invited Simon to present to DEI members across the UK on neurodiversity and workplace inclusion. His teaching style was highly appreciated and provided an excellent introduction to neurodiversity inclusion. His focus on strengths and enabling systems was a strong theme that we will take forward. The session was very well received.”
2023
“Simon is an open and engaging leader who champions the positive contributions neurodivergent individuals bring to organisations. He gives talks, organises events, and creates spaces that educate, support, and build allies. We collaborated on an informal discussion with the Phoenix Enable network, and the ongoing team chat during the session showed just how powerful his message was. I highly recommend Simon for his skills and experience in helping organisations create inclusive workplaces where people can bring their whole selves to work.”
2022
“I worked with Simon for over 18 months and was always impressed by his tenacity and dedication to promoting neurodiversity in the workplace. His firsthand experience as a neurodivergent individual gives him a unique perspective, and he consistently provides thoughtful advice.
Simon is a strong problem‑solver with great clarity when generating ideas and suggestions. I would recommend him to any organisation seeking support with neurodiversity."
2022
“I have worked closely with Simon for three years and it has been really useful, not just for my own personal growth and development, but for learning how we can best support our neurodivergent colleagues. Working with Simon (who is neurodivergent himself) has taught me a great deal about neurodiversity, and I especially appreciate the frank and honest conversations we have had where there’s no ambiguity and nothing is taboo or too uncomfortable to talk about.
I have been able to see, firsthand, how it feels to be on the outside looking in, how even the most well‑meaning intention in the workplace can be unsettling and disconcerting for a member of staff, as well as some of the elementary mistakes organisations make that leave neurodivergent staff disadvantaged.
Simon is a huge advocate for neurodivergent staff, and incredibly knowledgeable. His framework helps to ensure that organisations are being wholly inclusive, creating the conditions where all staff can thrive by playing to people’s strengths and minimising difficulties.”
2023
“Simon is a powerful speaker. He explores neurodiversity in education and workplace contexts, discusses the theoretical underpinnings of diversity and equality, and proposes practical solutions. He is reflective, using his own experiences to make sense of complex issues around inclusivity. Simon delivered a two‑hour class to my MBA module, and students were highly engaged. Many used his concepts in their portfolio assignments. Thank you, Simon.”
2023
“Simon is a powerful speaker. He explores neurodiversity in education and workplace contexts, discusses the theoretical underpinnings of diversity and equality, and proposes practical solutions. He is reflective, using his own experiences to make sense of complex issues around inclusivity. Simon delivered a two‑hour class to my MBA module, and students were highly engaged. Many used his concepts in their portfolio assignments. Thank you, Simon.”
2021
“Simon was an inspirational participant in the SHoKE project. He supported and enthused other students and provided valuable insights to the project management team. His contributions helped shape future project delivery with a focus on widening student participation.”
2021
“I met Simon during the Student Consult Project. He was a great team player, well organised, and provided thoughtful feedback. He shared his knowledge of neurodiversity and offered innovative ideas for marketing and inclusion events. I really appreciated his contributions and look forward to future conversations.”
2021
“I worked with Simon on a student consult project for SHoKE. Simon was an integral member of the team and crucial to our success.
His teamwork and organisational skills ensured we could manage our workload effectively within our small team. His enthusiasm to learn and collaborate motivated us to work to the best of our ability. He consistently provided innovative solutions and new ways of working that expanded my skillset. An excellent teammate, leader, and true professional.”