Philip Bartey joined Autism Plus as CEO in 2005 leading the organisation on a progressive strategic journey leading to significant growth and diversification during his tenure. In 2010 he founded the Adsetts Partnership together with his chairman at the time, the leading industrialist Sir Norman Adsetts OBE working with other organisations in recognition of the many conditions facing adults diagnosed with autism and neuro-diverse conditions.
Founded in 1986, Autism Plus is one of the top ten leading autistic charities in the UK. Their progressive offer includes Supported Living services, Residential and Day Care services, Retail Shops and a range of unique social enterprises including a working Chocolate Factory, a musical instrument manufacturing business and a new and progressive Chocolate Shop and Café in North Yorkshire. The services footprint extends across the Yorkshire and Humber Region underpinned by our Employment Services that operate on a national basis supporting hundreds of young neuro- diverse adults in employment and training. The team also work with an impressive number of national companies providing neuro- diversity training. Only 16% of adults diagnosed with autism, of working age are in any form of employment. Over 70% of adults diagnosed with autism present with other neuro- diverse conditions for example including autism, ADHD, mental health, learning disabilities, Epilepsy, dyslexia, dyscalculia and dyspraxia to name but a few.
In 2007 he founded Jobsteps Ltd, a new company working with the Labour government on the New Deal. Jobsteps was hugely successful in moving 2000 autistic and disabled adults into sustainable employment during this period. When the coalition government came to power, the employment prime contracts were given to large national companies under the new Work Programme that was no longer suitable for people with disabilities. Autism Plus continued with a new but smaller Employment Services team that continues to perform exceptionally well today.
In 2010, Philip Bartey was awarded the IOD Regional Director of the Year and in the same year was awarded the Charity Times National Charity Principal of the Year in recognition of his achievements.
He was later appointed as a founder board member to the Sheffield City Region LEP (Local Enterprise Partnership) and at that time was the only third sector member appointed to a LEP board. He was joined on the board by 9 business sector leaders and 10 local authority leaders.
Philip plays guitar and sings in his spare time and enjoys composing his own songs. In 2011 he organised the Northern Business Dinner at the Cutlers Hall in Sheffield. The event was sold out and raised £35k on the night alone. His former Chairman took the view that business audiences have tired of speech making at formal dinners, so he asked Philip to sing a song and play guitar which he did in front of 350 business leaders!
Prior to joining Autism Plus, Philip Bartey worked for several ‘blue chip’ companies in the wine and food industry including Cadbury Schweppes and Harvey’s of Bristol and other companies within the Allied Lyons group. He later joined the Leonard Cheshire Foundation in the Northeast as CEO. He is passionate about his work with disabled people and believes they should have the same opportunities as neuro-typical groups in terms of employment options, where and how to live, to fully contribute and lead a fulfilling life in every way possible. He believes in striving for continuous improvement stating there is no beginning or end to the challenges faced by disabled people and the organisations supporting them.
We have another important website to be included for our Employment Services below:-
www.autismplus-employmentservices.co.uk