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DIVERSE ABILITIES PLUS APPOINTS NEW CEO
| Author: JennyPearce | Published: 21st October 2010 11:53 |
Diverse Abilities Plus, the local charity that provides lifetime support to children and adults with varying disabilities across Dorset, has appointed a new Chief Executive Officer to replace Paul Barnard, who is stepping down after more than 11 years in the post.
L-R Paul Barnard and Mark Powell
Current Director of Operations at the charity, Mark Powell, who has been at Diverse Abilities Plus since February, will take up the role of Chief Executive Officer with immediate effect following appointment by the charity's Board of Trustees, while Paul will remain within the organisation as Director of Development. Working four days a week in this newly-created role, Paul will be working in conjunction with Mark as an advisor on strategic development, ensuring that opportunities to develop and grow the organisation and its services are maximised.
The management change follows Paul having expressed a desire, earlier this year, to step-down from senior management ahead of his planned retirement in 2012. He joined Diverse Abilities Plus in September 1999 and during his successful tenure as CEO, Paul has played a vital role in the organisation, working tirelessly to raise the profile of the charity within the local community.
Paul has been instrumental in helping the organisation grow from a small charity set up by a group of parents, to one that has grown to support over 200 children and adults from across the county. Gaining the support of the charity's Trustees, he has overseen a structural reorganisation and complete rebranding from Dorset Scope to Diverse Abilities Plus. He has also introduced new key positions in order to drive the organisation forward, and has ensured that high quality training and development opportunities are available to all employees.
Reflecting on his time as CEO at Diverse Abilities Plus, Paul said, "I am extremely proud of all that the team at Diverse Abilities Plus has achieved in the past 11 years, and am delighted that the charity now offers an extensive range of support services for the Dorset community which benefit so many. Over the last decade the tireless commitment and dedication of the whole team has ensured that Diverse Abilities Plus has achieved its aim of becoming a lifetime partner for the families and individuals who require our specialist assistance across Dorset, and that our services are extremely well-regarded among those who use them."
Paul actively welcomes Mark as his successor, saying: "In the short time that he has been with us, Mark has demonstrated wide and relevant experience together with excellent management and people skills. I have great confidence for the future of the organisation in his capable hands. I'm also excited at the prospect of working closely with him over the next year, and confident that making the change now will ensure a smooth transition."
In-coming CEO Mark Powell said of his appointment: "I am honoured that the charity's Trustees have chosen me for this position and with Paul to help and advise me, I am sure that we can focus and improve the services we provide. Although we live in tough times, I am optimistic for the future and will work hard to secure and develop all the services we provide and the excellent team of people we have in place."
Mark has held a number of senior director and managing director positions over the last 25 years, working for companies including Sainsbury's, Manor Bakeries, St Regis Paper, and with recognisable brands including Mr Kipling, Lyons, Red Bull and Sol Larger. In recent years Mark was a business advisor and mentor for The Princes' Trust and was a Commercial Director for Durrell Wildlife. Working with these and other charities he worked with people with disabilities helping them to gain employment, which was to be a relevant stepping stone to his role as Director of Operations at Diverse Abilities Plus.
As CEO, Mark's new role is to secure and develop Diverse Abilities Plus and the essential services it provides to people with disabilities in the community.
Diverse Abilities Plus provides a range of assistance, support and education services for young people aged two to 19, adults and families. Having recently rebranded from Dorset Scope, the charity employs approximately 250 people across its range of services which include Langside School, Smithers, Shapes, Project My Time, Barnabas and Supported Living.
For more information or to contact Diverse Abilities Plus please visit www.diverseabilitiesplus.org.uk or call 01202 718266.
Ends
Editors Notes
Diverse Abilities Plus is a charity that has been supporting children and adults with Cerebral Palsy and associated disabilities working in the County of Dorset, England for 50 years. The charity provides a range of assistance, support and education services for young people aged two to 19, adults and families. Services include:
• Langside School - independent, non maintained specialist day school for children and young people from the age of two to 19 years who have PMLD (profound and multiple learning disabilities). It's one of only 19 similar SEN (special education needs) schools in the UK.
• Smithers - provides overnight and day short breaks. Short breaks help families manage the challenges of providing full time care for their child. A visit can be during the day or a ‘sleep over' allowing the child to make and meet friends and relax and enjoy themselves.
• Shapes - provides home support (domiciliary care) for children and young people aged between two and 18 with individually tailored programs.
• Project My Time - Offers school holiday activities to children with, either and sometimes both, physical and learning disabilities aged between 8 and 18
• Barnabas - a well equipped day setting for adults. Adults can learn new skills and enjoy a wide range of experiences.
• Supported living - this service is for people who live in their own home but may need up to 24/7 support.
The charity was founded in 1955 by Mrs Phyllis Edwards who formed a group of parent's intent on providing better opportunities for their children with physical and learning disabilities.
Visit Diverse Abilities Plus Facebook page at www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Diverse-Abilities-Plus/112580195447758?ref=ts.
For more information
Contact: Zoe Thompson, PR Account Director / Jenny Pearce, Senior PR Account Executive
E-mail: zoe@marketing-matters.co.uk / jenny@marketing-matters.co.uk
Tel: +44 (0) 1202 777111 / +44 (0) 7770 924439
Address: Marketing Matters, Unit C, Acorn Business Park, Ling Road, Poole, Dorset, UK, BH12 4NZ
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