Charity says "you’re hired" to digital entrepreneur with autism

Monday 23 October 2017

A 22-year-old digital entrepreneur has become the first person on the autistic spectrum to gain a place on an apprenticeship scheme that trains young people in how to become successful board members.

Coder Jonathan Channing will join Autism Jersey as an apprentice on its Board of Trustees.

He was diagnosed as being on the spectrum aged 18 and since then has successfully set up his own business, Cobra Coding, as well as co-founding governance training platform GGGovernance.

While he won’t have an executive role, this latest appointment will see him bring his unique insight to the charity board, while learning the practical aspects of board work along the way.

Pictured: Jonathan, who will be an apprentice on Autism Jersey's Board of Trustees, is a digital entrepreneur with his own coding business.

The placement came about after Jonathan approached Autism Jersey with the idea of getting involved with the Board Apprentice scheme.

“It soon became clear that an apprenticeship of this type could be very beneficial to both Autism Jersey, in terms of the unique insight that Jonathan brings, and to an apprentice through the experienced gained,” Chairman Nick Winsor explained. “We then went through a selection process, Jonathan was successful and we are delighted to welcome him on a one-year apprenticeship.”

Mr Channing said he was “delighted” to have been the first autistic person to access the scheme and thanked Autism Jersey for the opportunity.

"Throughout my appointment I hope to gain an in-depth understanding of the practical workings of a board first-hand and to further my knowledge of corporate governance. Autism Jersey’s board members have a collective wealth of experience and I look forward to learning from each of them during the course of my apprenticeship. It is my hope that this will be an informative and eye-opening experience for the board members as well as myself. This experience will be instrumental in preparing me for further opportunities and growth,” he said.

He added: “Although this is very much a spectator role, I will have a chance to feed back to the board and give my expertise should it be asked for. It is my hope that I can feed in my opinion on multiple levels including digital and professional expertise, as well as my personal insight into the challenges of being autistic in a world of convention.”

The Board Apprentice success is just the latest in a number of achievements for Mr Channing this year. He secured sponsorship to complete a Professional Certificate in Mediation Skills, giving him to become the Channel Islands’ first autistic accredited mediator.

He was also one of the founding members of Chamber Connection - the Chamber of Commerce’s branch aimed at young people - and took a leading role in the development of National Coding Week.