AbilityNet appoints three new trustees

15/03/2011

AbilityNet, the leading charity in the field of e-accessibility and digital inclusion for people with disabilities, has appointed three new members to its Board of Trustees, to serve its needs better in a dynamic and challenging marketplace.

President of BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT, Elizabeth Sparrow, marketing professional, Mike Bernard and business leader and entrepreneur, Colin Knight, join the existing Board of eight.

Elizabeth Sparrow, a long-time champion of e-inclusion has represented the Chartered Institute for IT both at home and abroad. Mike Bernard, Head of Enterprise Marketing for IBM UK and Ireland, is also a visiting lecturer in Marketing at Oxford Brookes Business School. Colin Knight, a 'hands on' business leader with a track record in developing SMEs, has been both a President and CEO at IPC Information Systems, EMEA and a Director of a BT subsidiary. In addition, Colin fulfils a complementary role at Lifelites – the charity providing technology for children in hospices both to educate and entertain.

Explains Chairman, Dr Michael R Taylor: "AbilityNet has always punched above its weight and is internationally recognised for its expertise and experience. Its trustees play a key role in facilitating this success and the Board's composition is therefore critical. Elizabeth, Mike and Colin each bring with them skills which will be of huge benefit to the Charity in terms of strategic direction, business planning, fundraising, promotion and public affairs."

"The new arrivals join myself, David Barnett, Bill Brown, Nisha Sharma, David Morriss, Chris Gant and Matt Lambert, Corporate Trustee for Microsoft, as well as Alan Pollard who, after two years serving as Corporate Trustee for BCS, has been appointed an Independent Trustee for a further year."

"I am also delighted that former Chairman David Livermore OBE has taken over the post of President. He succeeds Sir Mark Weinberg who has retired, having generously supported communication with the disabled for over 30 years. Roger Jefcoate CBE, who has supported AbilityNet for many years, continues as Vice President."

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