The BDA has appointed Simon Wilkinson-Blake as their new CEO. Simon was previously CEO of the British Motorcycle Federation and Director of RiderConnect.

Their new Chief Development Officer (CDO) is Mark MacQueen.

A 100% Deaf board has obviously appointed a hearing CEO here. Hearing allies, especially with outside connections are important and powerful, however should they take a leadership role? Is the position of CEO indeed a leadership role, or do they take on a day to day administrative stance at wider led Deaf strategic direction?

Ask the Readers:
What do you think of hearing appointments? Would it ever be acceptable for a women's organisation to be led by a man, a black organisation led by a white person? Could this be a statement by the BDA that a glass ceiling does exist in the UK, and there's no-one Deaf suitably qualified? Does finances ever come before political statements? Can the two co-exist? Drop us your thoughts in the comments.

Photo credit: Simon's page on Just Giving

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I think a black person running a white organization (They're illgeal aren't they lol), would be great, as would a hearing person running a deaf group (The RNID did it first !), and a man running women's groups. Why not ? it is supposed to be equality isn't it ? If we don't accept them they won't accept us. Sadly the BDA has discovered what the RNID always stated, there are no suitable deaf applicants so.... I think the BDA membership will now have to hold up attacking the RNID won't it ? An own goal really.... The RNID hired rejects from a cat and dog charity, and an railtrack failure, now the BDA hires motorcyclists and hearing ones at that.. It's like we have landed in parallel universe...