The appointees will lead 9 new Regional Stakeholder
Networks tasked with amplifying the voices of disabled
people and disability organisations in regions across
England, reporting back to government on a range of
issues including transport, housing and employment.
The chairs of the network were selected based on their
understanding of disability issues specific to their
regions, their expertise in disability policy and its
effects at the grassroots level.
Minister for Disabled People said:
If we are truly to break down the barriers faced by
disabled people in everyday life, it’s vital that we
listen to their views.
All the chairs have a wealth of experience, expertise
and skills which qualify them for these crucial roles.
I am delighted at the calibre of the successful
candidates and looking forward to working with the
Regional Stakeholder Network to drive change and
improve the lives of disabled people across the
country.
Many of the 8 chairs are disabled people, while others
work in disabled people’s organisations or organisations
that support disabled people.
Several hold other roles in a voluntary capacity which
will help them tap into the issues and concerns of their
local networks.
The chairs will convene meetings with network members
within their regions and work with the government’s
Office for Disability Issues to help inform future
policy.
The first meeting between the chairs is due to take place
today.
The Network chairs are:
East of England: Naomi Marek OBE, CEO,
Sky Badger
Greater London: OBE, CEO,
Whizz-Kidz
North East: Michael Potts, Board Member, Veterans
Advisory and Pension Committee
North West: Lynne Turnbull, CEO, Cheshire Centre for
Independent Living
South East: Barry Ginley, Director, Tamstone Consulting
Ltd
South West: Samantha Everard, CEO, Support and
Mentoring Enabling Entrepreneurship (SAMEE)
West and East Midlands: Louise
Mckiernan, CEO, Birmingham
Disability Resource Centre
Yorkshire and the Humber: Liz Leach Murphy,
Founder/Managing Director, Imagineer CIC
