Dr. Tom Nicholson

Dr Tom Nicholson is a leading voice in neurodiversity and inclusion, widely recognised for his ability to translate lived experience and clinical expertise into meaningful workplace change. An Assistant Professor of Mental Health Nursing at Northumbria University, Tom specialises in mental health and neurodiversity, delivering impactful talks, training and consultancy to organisations across corporate, health and social care, and education sectors. Having reached more than 100,000 people through his speaking and training, he is trusted for his practical guidance on how teams can better understand and support neurodivergent colleagues, clients and stakeholders.

Diagnosed with ADHD at the age of five, Tom’s personal journey has shaped his professional mission. He pursued higher education with determination, earning a degree from Newcastle University before completing both a further degree and a PhD at Northumbria University. His career has always centred on mental health, beginning as an NHS community mental health nurse. Alongside frontline practice, he became a mental health first aid instructor and speaker, developing a strong reputation for making complex topics accessible. His move into academia allowed him to combine research, teaching and advocacy, and he has served as an Assistant Professor of Mental Health Nursing since 2017 and also serves as Neurodiversity Champion for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion across Nursing, Midwifery and Health.

Tom’s expertise is widely recognised across academic and professional communities. He has contributed to numerous academic publications and is a familiar voice in public conversations on neurodiversity, appearing on podcasts such as BBC Sounds’ It’s Too Loud in Here, All Aboard ADHD and NeurodiversiTEA. He has spoken at major conferences, including the global ADHD Conference, the British Sociological Association Medical Sociology Conference, the Neurodiversity and Entrepreneurship Conference, and the International Neurodiversity Conference in the UAE. Within his work, he has been honoured with the Heath Award for Nursing Excellence.

As a diversity and inclusion speaker, Tom stands out for his authenticity, evidence based insight and practical focus. He challenges tokenistic approaches and helps organisations build cultures where different brains can thrive. By linking neurodiversity to staff retention, productivity and wellbeing, he equips leaders and teams with clear, realistic strategies. His honest storytelling, combined with clinical and academic credibility, ensures audiences leave with both deeper understanding and tangible actions to create truly inclusive environments.