Neil Eustice, KPMG UK

Neil Eustice, KPMG UK: a lifelong champion of disability inclusion

About Neil Eustice

Now retired, Neil Eustice was Digital Accessibility Manager at KPMG UK. He held a variety of technology-related roles over his 30 years at the firm, including IT Trainer, IT Services Relationship Manager and Diversity and Knowledge Manager. He was also a committee member of KPMG UK’s disability inclusion network, Purple Circle, Neurodiversity Network, and mental health network, BeMindful.

He’s been an active member of the International Association of Accessibility Professionals (IAAP) for many years, and a founding member and Chair of the Business Disability Forum Technology Taskforce.

Why Neil won the Award

Neil drove the adoption of accessibility and disability inclusion at KPMG UK over 3 decades.

He introduced assistive technology (AT) to the firm and set up adjustments across KPMG UK’s offices. Through the years he tirelessly campaigned for adjustments and accessibility to be prioritised and managed effectively, and helped to embed accessibility into different processes and systems.

Neil was instrumental in setting up a team officially responsible for accessibility within the firm. The Digital Accessibility Team was established in 2021, with Neil at the helm.

As part of his role as Digital Accessibility Manager, he developed KPMG’s first Digital Accessibility Standard, created the firm’s first internal assistive technology guidance, developed resources and training on accessibility for a range of roles and platforms, took over licensing and re-contracting of assistive technology and trained new members of the team.

Other successful initiatives include several groups around disability and accessibility, such as the Accessibility Testing team, who support both staff and clients in testing new tools on their accessibility journeys; the Accessibility Engineers group, who spread awareness of accessibility; and the Purple Circle Facilitators voluntary group, who provide support and guidance to colleagues with disabilities across UK offices.

Crucially, Neil kept colleagues with disabilities at the heart of his efforts throughout. He took on leadership positions in employee networks and organised informal groups and schemes that enabled staff to support or mentor each other. When KPMG UK moved offices and rebranded, Neil made sure disabled colleagues were involved in the process. He also highlighted lived experience of disability within the firm by developing the Purple Circle’s ‘Personal perspective’ library, a series of anonymous articles from colleagues sharing the impact of disability in their lives.

The impact of Neil’s work

Accessibility is now a requirement in all aspects of KPMG UK’s work.

With the Digital Accessibility Team in place and new colleagues trained, the firm can respond quickly to adjustment needs or AT issues. Colleagues with disabilities have access to a range of support, resources and tools to help them thrive.

The tools and certifications Neil helped develop with the Business Disability Forum Technology Taskforce and IAAP, such as the Accessible Technology Charter, the Accessibility Maturity Model or the Strategic Leader in Accessibility certification, will continue to encourage organisations and professionals to examine their accessibility practice and commit to disability inclusion.

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