Trustees' Week: Thank you to our inspirational team

Annie Mannion | 07 Nov 2024

Trustees' Week graphic - Celebrating, supporting and inspiring trustees #TrusteesWeekTo mark Trustees' Week (4-8 November 2024) we're extending a hearty thank you to our dedicated and energetic AbilityNet Board of Trustees, whose enthusiasm and commitment to helping to shape AbilityNet's activities makes such an impact.

Trustees’ Week is a great opportunity to celebrate the achievements of our trustees, who are part of nearly one million trustees for organisations across the UK.

Amy Low, CEO, AbilityNet says of our Board: “AbilityNet is so fortunate to have such an experienced, supportive and dynamic Board of Trustees. Thank you to each and every one of you for the guidance, challenge, and diverse perspectives you bring to ensure our wonderful charity goes from strength to strength.” 

So, from us all at AbilityNet and behalf of the disabled people and older people we help, and the organisations we work with who benefit from their support, thank you to our trustees for their time, commitment and effort they put into AbilityNet to help us thrive.

Kush Kanodia holding the Olympic torchSpotlight on one of our Trustees: Kush Kanodia
Kush Kanodia was awarded an honorary degree from the University of Kent and also spearheaded a national movement to abolish disabled car parking charges from all NHS hospitals in England using the campaign tag #NoWheelChairTax. He was included in Disability Power List 100 2019 and was a Torch Bearer for the Paralympic Games in London 2012.

About AbilityNet's governance

AbilityNet grew out of IBM in the late 1980s and continues to have the backing of a number of influential multinational businesses and charities including the Worshipful Company of Information Technologists (WCIT).

Current AbilityNet Trustees are:

  • Alan Brooks (Chair)
  • Kush Kanodia
  • Suzie Woodhams
  • Nicky Rumsey
  • Owen Purcell
  • Graeme Pedlingham
  • Douglas Silverstone
  • Mike Evason
  • Alison Orsi
  • Michelle Gurney (representing WCIT)
  • Plus, a warm welcome to our newest trustee, Stephen Warwick from IBM!

Between them our trustees represent (or previously held senior positions at) organisations including IBM, Google, Volvo, Dunlop, Vix Technology, EY LLP, University of Sussex, and Southern Housing.

AbilityNet's patron is Baroness Martha Lane Fox, who recently completed the Three Peaks challenge in aid of four charities, including AbilityNet.

Get a deep dive into different disabilities  

Our series of Don't Disable Me training courses is led by individuals with lived experience facing mental health, visual, neurodiversity, hearing, and physical barriers. The courses are a deep dive into the experiences of disabled people and the unintentional barriers people can create and provide practical ideas about how to remove those barriers.
Book Don’t Disable Me courses
 

How AbilityNet can help

AbilityNet provides a range of free services to help disabled people and older people, including:

  • Call our helpline: 0300 180 0028
  • View our factsheets 
  • My Computer My Way: free interactive guide to accessibility features built into current desktops, laptops, tablets, and smartphones

AbilityNet accessibility services

Support AbilityNet

If you're able to help us help others please donate to AbilityNet