(London, UK) One of Britain's highly influential entrepreneurs, Dame Stephanie Shirley visits the London Borough of Redbridge for the first time, on the invitation of the autism charity, the UK Autism Foundation.
Dame Stephanie Shirley who is the Chairperson of the Shirley Foundation and Chair of Autism Speaks UK has campaigned tirelessly for autism in the United Kingdom.
Stephanie Shirley arrived in Britain from Austria at the age of 5 years old; a child refugee fleeing the horrors of Nazi-occupied Germany. Dame Stephanie arrived at Liverpool Street Station stateless, penniless and without any knowledge of the English language. She is now one of the wealthiest women in Britain due to a talent for maths, computer science and entrepreneurship.
Dame Stephanie (Steve) Shirley started an early business technology group on her dining room table with £6 in 1962. In 25 years as its Chief Executive, she developed the company, now called Xansa into a FTSE 250 leading technology group, which has pioneered new working practices and changed the position of professional women - especially in hi-tech - during that period of time.
'An Evening with Dame Stephanie Shirley,' takes place in Woodford Green, Essex on Monday 3rd November. The high powered event is jointly organised by the UK Autism Foundation, Redbridge Parents in Partnership and Supporting Together those with Autism and Aspergers in Redbridge (STAAR).
Ivan Corea of the UK Autism Foundation said: 'I am delighted that Dame Stephanie Shirley is visiting Redbridge on the invitation of UKAF. She is an amazing person, a wonderful role model, Dame Stephanie Shirley is truly inspirational. She has a very powerful leadership story to share. Steve Shirley is highly respected as an entrepreneur and an autism campaigner. The UKAF is delighted to join forces with two important organisations in the London Borough of Redbridge - PIP and STAAR to hold this key event.'
Also speaking is Val Davies of the Family Fund. Ivan Corea of the UK Autism Foundation, Angela Naish of Redbridge Parents in Partnership and Athena Daniels of Supporting Together those with Autism and Aspergers in Redbridge STAAR) will also speak about their organisations.
Autism is a neuro-developmental disorder, over 500,000 people are on the autism spectrum in the United Kingdom. According to UK researchers 1 in 100 children are on the spectrum. There are 60 million people with autism around the world.
The UK Autism Foundation has launched a £10 million fundraising project. The charity's 'vision for autism' includes building the first ever state-of-the-art Autism Centre in London, building an autism school and launching initiatives to help and support families with autism who are below the poverty line in the United Kingdom.
