The Managing Director of ADHD 360, Phil Anderton is a highly accomplished business advisor, program manager, and facilitator. He has a proven track record of delivering improvements and efficiencies in both the private and public sectors. Phil’s extensive knowledge of mental health disorders, coupled with his experience, has culminated in the establishment of ADHD 360 Limited—a new and innovative approach to providing care for individuals with ADHD. Through his leadership and expertise, ADHD 360 is committed to making a meaningful impact in the lives of those with ADHD, offering a unique and progressive approach to care and support.
Phil is a former senior police officer and became acutely aware of the connections between untreated ADHD and criminal behavior. The statistics were striking – while 5% of the general population had ADHD, a staggering 25% of the UK prison population shared this condition. This stark inequity fueled a passionate mission within him.
Over the years, Phil dedicated himself to addressing this issue, authoring books, publishing papers, and striving for incremental progress both nationally and internationally. However, despite his efforts in collaboration with the government and the NHS, he remained unsatisfied with the status quo.
Towards the end of his police career, Phil worked with the Home Office, focusing on introducing a new doctrine and national IT systems to address information sharing inadequacies that had tragically resulted in the murders of two young schoolgirls in Soham. This pivotal role triggered a career decision, leading him to retire from the police at the young age of 43 and embark on a new journey as a management consultant, eventually joining PwC.
As Phil honed new skills and a deeper sense of purpose, he remained committed to influencing change in the realm of ADHD. This dedication led him to leave PwC and venture into independent consulting. He spent two years immersing himself in the NHS, seeking opportunities to enhance ADHD clinics across the UK.
Phil’s determination culminated in a significant realization during this time – the NHS alone could not bring about the comprehensive change required. Encouraging two highly reputable clinicians, Jen Lewis-Neill and Lisa Mangle, to join forces with him, ADHD 360 was born. Shortly thereafter, Samantha, who later became his wife, also became an integral part of the team. On December 24th, 2018, ADHD 360 transitioned from a concept to a tangible reality, driven by Phil’s unwavering passion to make a difference.
ADHD 360 offers assessment, diagnosis and treatment for the two main neurodevelopmental conditions, ADHD and Autism. Uniquely, it has challenged the established norms and the company runs its services as a virtual hospital. IT enabled, cloud based data and heavily process driven, it manages a human interface in virtual clinics, with a remote workforce spread across the UK. ADHD 360’s patients range in age from 4 to 76, and it serves private patients as well as a number of NHS contracts.
Leadership with Humility and Instinct
For Phil, leadership demands humility, honesty, and transparency. Balancing these qualities and tapping into the wealth of knowledge from colleagues fosters growth as a natural outcome. His important mentors, Jack Riggs, and Kevin Thistlethwaite, have been instrumental in his personal development. Jack’s insights into human behavior elevate Phil’s soul, while Kevin’s strategic acumen guides him in problem-solving and setting his direction.
In Phil’s view, modern-day leaders must still trust their instincts. In a data-driven world, successful entrepreneurs take measured risks. Kevin’s advice to “never let perfection get in the way of progress” resonates with him. Phil believes that overthinking and endless debate can stifle innovation, and instead, leaders should challenge the status quo to advance and improve lives, particularly in their line of work where they impact people’s lives daily.
From Police Officer to Healthcare Pioneer
In his current role, Phil serves as the custodian of the strategic direction, not only for his organization, but also for the future of ADHD and Autism on a broader scale. Transitioning from being disruptors to influencers of change has been an exciting paradigm shift for him. Reflecting on his journey from a young police constable with basic qualifications to leading an organization with over 135 employees and impacting the healthcare of thousands of people, Phil feels immense pride in what he and his incredible team achieve daily.
His routine is anything but routine. A memorable incident at a local Apple store in Spring 2023 perfectly illustrates the impact of ADHD 360’s work. As Phil sought assistance for his iPhone issue, a young Apple employee recognized the branded ADHD 360 jacket he was wearing. The employee, who was an ADHD 360 patient, expressed his gratitude and shared with his colleagues how the treatment had transformed his life, enabling him to work for Apple. Encounters like this, where patients personally thank him and share their stories, have become more common and bring Phil immense joy.
Having served as a police officer for 25 years and achieving academic milestones during his career, Phil cherishes the moments when he witnesses the positive impact his ADHD service has on patients’ lives. These experiences are what truly make him happy and reinforce the significance of the work being done by ADHD 360 and its dedicated team.
Hiring with Heart
When it comes to hiring new team members at ADHD 360, Phil firmly believes in prioritizing the right behaviors over specific skills. He emphasizes that skills can be taught, but attracting individuals with the right attitudes and values is crucial. To ensure they hire the right people, ADHD 360 adopts a mantra inspired by a professor they had the privilege of working with in the United States: “if you can’t bring your heart to the game, don’t turn up. Your patients need you.”
This recruitment mantra serves as a guiding principle for ADHD 360, helping them identify candidates who are genuinely dedicated to their work and have a passion for healthcare. For the organization, healthcare is not merely a job; it is a calling and a vocation that requires a deep sense of purpose and commitment to improving the lives of their patients. By focusing on attracting individuals who share this mindset, ADHD 360 ensures that their team is united by a common drive to make a meaningful difference in the lives of those they serve.
Embracing Mental Health
According to Phil, society must fully embrace and accept mental health, as there is still a long way to go despite some progress made post-pandemic. He emphasizes that invisible illnesses, such as mental health issues, can be deadly, and the stigma and anxiety surrounding them hinder individuals from being open about their struggles.
At ADHD 360, the team takes pride in employing a significant number of neuro-diverse employees. They are committed to rewriting role descriptions and creating new roles to accommodate the individual needs of team members who may face challenges in fitting into their original positions.
In terms of healthcare, especially in the UK, Phil believes there is a postcode lottery when it comes to access, and fairness, availability, and cost-effectiveness need to improve. He sees a crucial role for the private sector in collaboration with national provision, as the current format of the NHS is unsustainable. ADHD 360 demonstrates that as a private provider, they can deliver a world-class service for the NHS, with agility, cost-effectiveness, and higher standards than the existing provision. They have been successful in delivering over 1,200 new assessments per month, surpassing the national provision in England and Wales, and consistently improving the variables of time, cost, and quality.
Phil’s dedication to his mission is unwavering, and he describes ADHD 360’s approach as confronting problems head-on rather than avoiding them. He values evidence-based science over biased opinions and believes that modern science challenges established norms in a positive way. Phil advocates for embracing disruption from a noble, data-led perspective, as it paves the way for progress and effective solutions.
Stepping Beyond Fear
For Phil, the greatest personal risk has never been about himself; it’s been about ADHD 360. Three years ago, making the company’s first hire was a daunting prospect. Taking on the responsibility for someone’s well-being, income, and future filled him with fear. However, he trusted his instincts and took that crucial first step. The individual they hired, Ashlie, has since become the Operations Manager of ADHD 360. Witnessing her growth and success, as evidenced by buying her first house and driving a company car, reaffirms the importance of taking risks and trusting one’s intuition.
Ashlie’s journey serves as a powerful testament to the value of overcoming initial fears and uncertainties in the pursuit of growth and progress. Her success has motivated Phil and the entire team to believe in their abilities to make positive changes and take calculated risks. The experience with Ashlie reinforces the notion that sometimes, the most significant rewards come from stepping outside of one’s comfort zone and embracing new opportunities wholeheartedly.
Global Expansion for ADHD 360
In 2023/4, Phil’s strategic plan for ADHD 360 is focused on ‘growth.’ The organization aims to become the national provider of choice for ADHD and related services in the UK by removing procurement barriers with NHS commissioning organizations. Additionally, the team is exploring expansion into the Middle East, Australia, and the USA to meet the unmet global need for world-class services for the Neurodiverse community.
Written by Steve Sanchez.
