The Vision Foundation appoints three new trustees – Vision Foundation
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The Vision Foundation appoints three new trustees

The Vision Foundation has appointed Dr Amit Patel, Darren Barker and Victoria Currey as new trustees on its Board.

Dr Amit PatelDr Amit Patel is a disability rights campaigner, best-selling author, motivational speaker and independent consultant. Amit studied medicine at Cambridge University and qualified as a doctor, specialising in emergency medicine and major incidents, During medical school he was diagnosed with the visual impairment keratoconus, eventually losing his sight in 2013. Amit is now registered severely sight impaired (blind).

Of his appointment, Amit said: “I am deeply honoured to be joining the Vision Foundation as a trustee, given the all-important work done by the charity in promoting the interests of blind and partially sighted people throughout London. As an active campaigner for accessibility I look forward to bringing my experience to the charity and working to make sure the advances we have seen in accessibility and equality are not impacted by the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.”

Darren BarkerDarren Barker is an experienced leader with core strengths in the areas of finance, commerce and strategy development most recently holding the role of CEO of Hostelling International. There he worked closely with the operations and governance teams of 65 Not-for-Profit organisations all around the globe. Darren worked in the retail, technology and travel industries before cutting across into the charity sector in early 2015.  Darren lives in London and is partially sighted with a rare eye condition (Rodmonochromatism).

Darren said “I’m absolutely delighted to become a trustee of the Vision Foundation and am keen to start contributing to its success in giving those with sight difficulties a full and empowered life. The charity’s strategic focus on employment is critical this year as the pandemic affects jobs across many sectors, disproportionately affecting blind and partially sighted people.”

Victoria Currey photoVictoria Currey has 20 years’ international experience working in the field of Human Resources and is currently Senior HR Business Partner at Legal and General Investment Management (LGIM). An expert at leading programs of change and growth, as well as having a full suite of HR generalist experience Victoria is also a qualified UK lawyer with strong technical employment relations knowledge globally. In her current role Victoria contributes to LGIM’s Diversity and Inclusion agenda and has a keen interest in ensuring that every part of society is meaningfully represented in the workplace.

On her appointment Victoria said: “I’m looking forward to joining the Board at a time when there is so much work to be done to level the playing field for blind and partially sighted people in London. Organisations like the Vison Foundation are essential. They can provide the bridge that is required for those with a visual impairment to feel they are part of the community.”

Acting Chair of the Vision Foundation’s Board of Trustees, Heather Goodhew, said of the new appointments: “I am thrilled to welcome Amit, Darren and Victoria to the Board. They bring an invaluable array of talents and experience to the Vision Foundation and I know the entire board is very much looking forward to working with them.”

Find out more about our trustees here.