Future chair of Leonard Cheshire announced
David Grayson CBE has been appointed a trustee at leading disability charity Leonard Cheshire and will become its new Chair late next year.
Current Chair of Trustees Sally Davis has led the Board since October 2015 and will continue to do so until her tenure ends in October 2021.
During her leadership of the Board, there has been unprecedented growth in impact and reach at the charity. Leonard Cheshire now offers a wider range of support to disabled people around the world and reaches more individuals, communities and organisations than ever before.
The selection of a future successor to lead the Board follows the recruitment of Ruth Owen OBE as Leonard Cheshire’s new CEO.
David Grayson is Emeritus Professor of Corporate Responsibility at Cranfield School of Management. He was awarded the OBE for services to business in 1994 and the CBE for services to disability in 1999.
From 2007-17, he was the founder-director of the Doughty Centre and Professor of Corporate Responsibility. He has chaired and served on various charity, social enterprise and public sector boards. This included chairing the National Disability Council, the forerunner of the Disability Rights Commission and the Equality and Human Rights Commission.
He currently chairs the international charity: The Institute of Business Ethics and has just stepped down after eight years as Chair of Carers UK. He sits on several corporate and NGO advisory panels.
Sally Davis said:
“To play my part in the story of this unique charity, which has such a rich heritage, has been hugely gratifying. So much progress has been achieved in recent years, with the charity making more of difference in creating an inclusive world than ever before.
“I am really looking forward to working with David and we will work closely together on the transition period next year. I would like you take this opportunity to thank all my fellow trustees whose expertise and commitment to our cause has been invaluable over the years.”
David Grayson said:
“Seeing the person and the possibility rather than the disability is very personal for me. I acquired a physical disability when I was 11 years old. Of course, it changed my life but I don’t let it define me or my life. It is one dimension. I believe that is how it should be for every disabled person.
“It is a huge privilege and honour to follow Sally as chair of Leonard Cheshire and work with fellow trustees, our staff colleagues, volunteers and supporters around the world, to promote disability rights and to help many more disabled people to live, learn and earn as they want to.
“It is an exciting time to be joining Leonard Cheshire as we build on the rich heritage and continue to transform our services and programmes in the UK and across the world."
Media enquiries
For further information please contact Robert Boyland on robert.boyland@leonardcheshire.org or call 020 3242 0290.