Charles Freeman’s Bio

Charles, diagnosed with dyslexia and dyspraxia at the age of six, is now aware of other neurodivergent traits he possesses. Although not an elite athlete, sport has played a central role in his life, providing confidence and a sense of purpose from local tennis tournaments in his youth to using sport as a mental health regulator today. He gained transferable skills during university by running sports clubs, which have informed his career. His diverse professional background includes roles in tourism consultancy, higher education, local government, and Sport England, where he played a pivotal role in forming the federation of disability sport and managing regional education and training initiatives.

In 2009, Charles transitioned to being the founding Executive Director of Culture Southeast, where he worked to incorporate the interests of the Department of Culture, Media, and Sport into regional economic and spatial planning policy. After the closure of regional cultural consortia, he continued his work as Quality Place Manager for South Hampshire. For the past 12 years, he has worked as a freelance consultant, specialising in sport, art, heritage, and the creative industries. A passionate neurodiversity advocate, Charles co-led a network for dyslexic and neurodivergent entrepreneurs and professionals and helped establish Ravensbourne University's SEEDS entrepreneurship programme for neurodivergent individuals. He holds an Honorary Doctorate in Media from Solent University for his contributions to creative industry development and neurodiversity. Charles also serves as a director for various neurodivergent-focused organisations, including Neurodiverse Sport, and continues to work on projects related to the creative economy, cultural planning, and employability, alongside playing veteran tennis.