Geoffrey Maddrell, Chairman, Research Autism
Geoffrey Maddrell has an industry and public service background. After service in the Parachute Regiment, he gained a law degree at Cambridge University and an MBA at Columbia University. He spent his early career overseas with Shell and Bowater, where he joined the main board. He then became Chief Executive of an international textile group, Tootal, leading the company through a period of significant change. He subsequently became Chairman of businesses usually undergoing strategic change and development - including Glenmorangie, Westbury and other businesses related to the construction industry; or being developed from a start up – including the UNITE Group and Human Recognition Systems. He has had two periods as a Civil Service Commissioner and set up three charities in addition to Research Autism, all in areas where social needs were not being met.

Geoffrey’s interest in making Research Autism a huge success is to achieve their vision of a world where those on the spectrum are able to realize their potential, feel a sense of belonging and enjoy, with their families, a better quality of life; all of this to be achieved through a focus on research into interventions which is woefully lacking.”