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Harriet Kelsall discusses her experiences with dyslexia and its advantages.

This virtual talk was a huge success with over 160 participants.

Harriet Kelsall in her own words is "not a brain expert".  However, as a successful dyslexic, she can’t understand why so many people don’t realise what a huge advantage a dyslexic brain can bring. In this light-hearted talk, she will discuss how and why dyslexic brains might be different, how she overcame some tricky times at school, and how she learned to embrace the superpowers that her dyslexia brings. 

Harriet would like all ages to attend this talk, including those with and without dyslexia. She hopes that listening in will be a small step towards understanding mental diversity as we need both linear thinkers and non-linear thinkers in society.

About the speaker

Harriet Kelsall is the Founder and Chair of Harriet Kelsall bespoke jewellery. She started her business from her kitchen table over 22 years ago and now she has a team of 40 across three studios. She is one of the most respected bespoke designers and business trailblazers working in the UK jewellery industry today. Kelsall was the 2016 HSBC Forward Ladies “Retail Business Woman of the year”, was Everywoman’s “Retail Woman of the Year” in 2011, one of The Institute of Directors magazine’s six “women who have most changed the business world” in 2014, and is a Freeman of the Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths and of the City of London. 

Kelsall was the Chair of the National Association of Jewellers (now deputy chair) and is a non-executive director for the British Hallmarking Council.  She has also been a non-executive director for the Responsible Jewellery Council.  Kelsall is a regular keynote speaker on ethics and CSR, advised the government on jewellery skills as part of the Creative and Cultural Skills Academy, and speaks nationally and internationally about responsible business.

Kelsall is passionate about helping creative business flourish and wrote a book on the subject called “The Creative's Guide to Starting a Business: How to turn your talent into a career” which won at the 2019 Business Book of the Year Awards.