All three chief executives of RAD resign as Deaf charity considers merger with DeafPLUS

The three joint chief executives of the Royal Association for Deaf people (RAD) have announced they have resigned from their positions, amid a possible merger with fellow Deaf charity deafPLUS.

Amanda Casson Webb, Lesley Frearson and Sue Evans will formally leave the charity in May, and said in a joint statement that while it has been an “incredibly difficult decision”, it was “the right one for us”.

They said: “RAD is a different organisation to the one we each joined. We are proud of what we have all achieved.

“Organisations go through phases; they reinvent and reform and we feel that the time is now right for us to hand over the reins to a new leader who can follow the Board’s vision and achieve its aims.

“We leave RAD in a healthy position, with a strong profile, a reliable income pipeline and a collegiate team.”

At the same time as the announcement of the chief executives’ departure, the RAD also revealed its board of trustees are in the “preliminary stages” of exploring a merger with deafPLUS, an organisation which provides information, advice and support with independent living.

RAD chair Tom Mulloy said: “The Board is committed to ensuring RAD builds on its solid foundations, set by the current joint CEOs. There will be opportunities for both entities if the merger goes ahead and we will share any news as soon as practically possible.”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by deafPLUS (@deafplus_uk)

deafPLUS added: “Should the merger proceed, this will create opportunities for both entities and our stakeholders, including the deaf community.”

They also said they would share any further news on the potential merger “as soon as practically possible”.

Photo: Royal Association for Deaf people/YouTube.

By Liam O’Dell. Liam is an award-winning Deaf freelance journalist and campaigner from Bedfordshire. He can be found talking about disability, theatre, politics and more on Twitter and on his website.