When NatWest brought their Internal Audit Academy to the Edinburgh International Conference Centre (EICC) on 21 May 2025, inclusivity wasn’t an afterthought – it was embedded into the event design from the very beginning.
IN PARTNERSHIP with EICC and guided by the Welcome Brain Neurodiversity in Events Checklist, the event became the first ever to achieve Gold-level accreditation. From quiet spaces to real-time captioning, this collaboration provides a powerful blueprint for making events across every sector more accessible. A dedicated event website, hosted by NatWest, gave attendees clear, inclusive information and showcased the measures in place to support diverse needs.
This case study explores how our partnership created an environment where everyone could participate fully – and why that matters for events of every kind.
A Shared Commitment to Inclusion
A key part of this was NatWest’s development of a dedicated event website, offering upfront accessibility information.
With over 400 attendees from across the UK, the event aimed to drive innovation, build community, and spark conversation. But beyond business goals was a deeper ambition: to create a space where everyone – including neurodivergent participants – could engage and thrive.
From early planning stages, EICC and NatWest aligned on a shared vision for inclusion. Both organisations recognised that traditional event design can unintentionally exclude people with sensory sensitivities, communication differences, or other neurological needs.
The question wasn’t whether accessibility mattered – it was how to embed it meaningfully throughout the experience. That commitment led to a collaborative approach, combining EICC’s venue expertise with NatWest’s internal inclusion priorities.
A key part of this was NatWest’s development of a dedicated event website, offering upfront accessibility information and introducing features such as quiet spaces, inclusion champions, and accessible route planning. Together, we aimed to create more than an event – a working example of what inclusive design looks like in practice.
Inclusive Principles in Practice
Turning vision into action meant revisiting every element of the event through an inclusive lens. EICC worked closely with the NatWest teams to tailor the experience around the Welcome Brain Neurodiversity in Events Checklist.
A high-impact feature was a dedicated quiet space, located close to the main event areas. Designed as a low-stimulation environment, it gave attendees the opportunity to decompress or recharge. The space was clearly signposted, and staff were trained to guide attendees to it.
Real-time voice-to-text transcription was introduced across main sessions, with captions displayed on large screens. This not only supported hard-of-hearing participants, but also benefitted neurodivergent attendees who process information better visually or at a different pace.
Other thoughtful touches – from sensory-friendly signage and breakout zones to trained staff and accessible communication materials – reflected a shared belief: inclusive design benefits everyone.
Importantly, inclusion extended beyond the day itself. Pre-event communications invited attendees to share accessibility needs in advance, allowing the team to respond proactively. Attendees received detailed route maps and were offered the option of quiet route tours upon arrival to reduce anxiety and support autonomy.
A team of inclusion champions – featured on the event website and identifiable by dedicated t-shirts and lanyards – were available throughout the day to offer support and help attendees feel confident navigating the venue.
Partnership in Action
The Welcome Brain Neurodiversity in Events Checklist was used as a guiding framework, covering everything from venue layout and communication methods to sensory considerations. It also offers tiered accreditation: Silver, Gold, and Platinum.
EICC and NatWest committed to the Gold standard, not to tick boxes, but to embed accessibility into every layer of the event.
That commitment paid off. The May 2025 event became the first in the UK to achieve Gold-level accreditation from Welcome Brain – recognising not just physical accessibility, but also the inclusive planning, team training, and communications that supported neurodiverse needs from start to finish.
Measuring the Impact
While the accreditation was a powerful benchmark, the most meaningful feedback came from attendees.
Inclusive planning didn’t just support specific needs – it elevated the experience for everyone.
The quiet space was described as “a game-changer” and “the first time I’ve felt considered at a corporate event.” One attendee shared that, thanks to the calm space, they were able to stay for the full day – something they’d never managed before.
Live captioning made a significant difference too – particularly for neurodivergent attendees, non-native English speakers, and those hard of hearing.
Staff and speakers alike remarked on the sense of care and intention that shaped the event. Inclusive planning didn’t just support specific needs – it elevated the experience for everyone.
Raising the Bar for Events
What unfolded at EICC in May was not only a successful event, but a demonstration of what’s possible when inclusion is embedded into every layer of planning and delivery.
The collaboration between NatWest and EICC shows that neuroinclusive design is a standard we should all be aspiring to, not a niche add-on; features like quiet spaces, live captioning, and clear communication create more flexible, welcoming spaces for all.
At EICC, we believe venues have a responsibility to lead – not just with accessible infrastructure, but by partnering with clients to embed inclusion into the culture of events. Achieving Gold-level accreditation was a milestone – but it’s only the beginning.
The EICC and NatWest’s collaboration shows that inclusive design is not only possible – it’s transformative. By embedding neurodiversity into the planning process, we helped create a welcoming, accessible event experience. We hope this inspires others to rethink what good looks like – and to join us in raising the bar for accessibility, inclusion, and impact.
The support and collaboration from the EICC enabled us to think differently about our event planning. We experimented with new ways to make our event inclusive for all. The feedback we received showed these elements were not only valued by our neurodivergent colleagues, but by a significant percentage of entire audience. Some of the adaptations we incorporated were small but made a big impact and we will be looking to incorporate them into more of our day-to-day engagement activities, having tested them successfully at such an key event in our annual calendar.
- Nick Curle, Group Chief Audit Executive, NatWest