Disabled children's charity KIDS appoint new Chair of Trustees

Founded in 1970, KIDS is the only national charity solely focused on disabled children irrespective of disability or impairment. It has a strong history of innovative services from creating the first adventure playgrounds for disabled children to educating play providers on supporting disabled children in their provision. Its main focus remains empowering disabled children and their families to thrive.

After successfully appointing their Treasurer in 2020, KIDS returned to Society to recruit its new Chair in 2022. This new Chair will guide the charity to achieve innovation, impact and systemic reform, all in partnership with the disabled children, young people and families that KIDS supports.

Society conducted a UK wide, cross-sector search. We identified candidates with significant Board and leadership experience, well equipped to effectively lead the Board of Trustees while supporting CEO Katie Ghose and her leadership team. It was essential to find an individual whose passion and interest were in line with the charity’s mission. Following a competitive process, Diana Sutton was appointed.

Diana is the Director of The Bell Foundation, which works to overcome exclusion through language education. She was previously Head of Policy and Public Affairs for the NSPCC, and Head of Save the Children’s office in Brussels. Diana has been supporting KIDS in a Trustee capacity for the past two years. She has a strong connection to the charity and to its cause, as she has personal experience of disability as a sibling.

Diana commented: “I am delighted to have been appointed Chair of KIDS and look forward to working with the Board and Executive Leadership team to drive forward KIDS new strategy, with its focus on speak up, sustain and support.   It was a pleasure working with Tanya and colleagues at Society who were efficient and professional in their approach."