After joining forces, Vision Foundation and Fight for Sight will be the only UK grant-maker that changes lives through funding both scientific research and innovative services.

Our new organisation will be led by Fight for Sight CEO, Keith Valentine. Keith brings with him more than 25 years of experience, much of it in the sight-loss sector. He has previously been Director of External Affairs at RNIB, Chief Executive of Vision UK, and has been a Trustee of Retina UK and Action for Blind People. Keith is a strategic leader and a known force within government and industry when it comes to highlighting key issues affecting people with eye conditions.

Keith’s passion and drive comes, not least, from his personal experience of living with retinitis pigmentosa, a hereditary condition, causing him to lose his sight at the age of 36.

Of the merger, Keith said:
“I have so much enthusiasm and energy for what lies ahead; it’s going to be a big and important journey for us all. I’m a long-standing supporter of Vision Foundation and have immense respect for what the charity has achieved, something I’ve seen first-hand as a member of the grants panel. Taking that incredible work – as well as our mission at Fight for Sight – onto the national stage is a very big deal. The impact we can have for blind and visually impaired people across the country is huge.
This merger means we’ll be the only significant independent charitable funder of social impact and scientific research; science and services under one umbrella is game-changing in this sector. It will enable us to grow our funding, which means a stronger, more impactful organisation for the years to come. I’m thrilled to build on what we’ve already done as two separate entities to take us to the next level, because my goal for us is nothing short of changing the world for blind and visually impaired people.”

Find out more about Keith and the merger here