Trustees
Sabina Iqbal
Chair
Sabina is a Deaf leader with over 25 years’ experience in social care, health and the charity sector with a history of recognition as a leader in sensory needs. She is a strong advocate for equity, diversity, and inclusion and quality standards with a focus on customer experience. Currently a Sensory Services Team Manager for Hertfordshire County Council, she is passionate about delivering high quality services. In 2009, in recognition of her work, she was included in one of the first ever Muslim Women Power List by the Equality and Human Right Commission and also recognised in the list of European Muslim Women of Influence 2010. Until recently, Sabina was a trustee of British Deaf Association.
Mark Perry
Vice Chair
Mark has extensive and wide-ranging experience working across the charity sector, starting out in policy and later specialising in strategic and programme funding for small, large and reputable charities. Deaf since birth, Mark has a particular interest in the positive impact of deaf-led charities and enterprises, including the vital work SignHealth undertakes. Mark is Chairperson of Flashing Lights Media, a deaf-led television production company that creates award-winning programmes, films and radio essays for broadcast on BBC, C4 and BSL Zone.
Tania Hudson
Treasurer
Tania is a fellow of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants, and a qualified teacher of mathematics. She has many years’ experience in senior finance roles across the commercial and not-for-profit sectors, including as Finance Director of the Hay Festival, Scope and Historic Royal Palaces. Tania is also a trustee of the Little Princess Trust. Tania is hearing.
Amanprit Arnold
Amanprit is an experienced city strategist with over 12 years’ experience. She has delivered independent strategic advice to governments, institutions, and companies on a range of urban development and land-use challenges. She is currently at the GLA as a Regeneration Programme Manager. Born Deaf and discovered her strong Deaf identity in her teens. She is also the Co-chair of the People and Pay Committee.
Matthew James
Matthew is Head of Equality Diversity and Inclusion and Retention at NHS England covering the North East and Yorkshire region. After leaving SignHealth as deputy CEO in 2004 he embarked on a long career working in many fields in health services, as a head of operations, and regional commissioner for specialised mental health services, including IAPT and high secure services for deaf people. Today he implements organisational development plans to enable workforces to train, retain and reform how more staff can work to help the NHS recover its services. He is a trained leader coach and uses lean methodology technics to transform services and functions to improve pathways and patient outcomes. He became deaf at age five and learned BSL in his 20s. He is currently driving a campaign to create the first national deaf and hard of hearing staff network for the NHS.
Vanessa Longley
Vanessa has worked in the charity sector for over 20 years and has spent the last ten years fundraising and raising awareness within the hospice sector. She has significant experience in supporting charities to set and achieve their goals, whilst living their values and keeping the beneficiaries at the heart of everything they do. Vanessa is hearing and is actively working on improving her sign language.
Hannah Whalley
Hannah is a native BSL user and a Community Psychiatric Nurse with 8 years of experience in the NHS, specialising in Deaf services. She passionately serves a diverse group of Deaf individuals who face daily challenges such as stigma, prejudice, discrimination and communication barriers in mental and public health. Hannah actively facilitates the Deaf Service users group, contributes to Quality Improvement and Innovation projects, shapes the Recommission Pathway Service Strategy for Deaf Services, and leads audits and Care Quality Reviews in various service sectors. She is dedicated to amplifying the voices of Deaf youth, promoting diversity, and serving as a role model for young Deaf individuals.
Christine McPherson
Christine is a social worker by profession and has worked with Deaf people in the community, in specialist Deaf mental health services and more recently managed mainstream mental health services. She has held senior positions in Local Authorities and the NHS. Since retiring from full-time work, she has continued to provide training in mental health and deafness. Christine became deaf in her early teens and learned British Sign Language as a young adult.
Diane Jones
With just over 30 years of experience in the NHS, Diane is currently the Chief Nursing Officer for NHS North East London and senior responsible officer for a number of programmes across the North East London heath and care system. Whilst Diane’s expertise lies within midwifery, she is also passionate about quality improvement, workforce race equality and equity of health and care provision. She was also a Care Quality Commission (CQC) specialist advisor for Governance, Maternity and Safeguarding. Diane is also a Trustee of a national charity, Group B Strep Support (GBSS) and a member of the London Clinical Senate.
Frankie McLean
A fourth-generation BSL signer, Frankie originally graduated in Immunology & Pharmacology. He subsequently qualified as a Social Worker and practice educator working across specialities, services and projects at various levels. A significant proportion of his career has been spent working with deaf people and BSL signers. Following a brief stint as a lecturer, Frankie joined the Civil Service and currently heads up Race Equality policy and anti-racism infrastructure development at the Scottish Government.
Our board of trustees make sure the organisation is achieving its goals, planning ahead and financially sound.
Our trustees were chosen for their expertise and experience. They work with the executive leadership team to help SignHealth build a future where there are no barriers to good health and wellbeing for Deaf people.
Trustee Shadow Scheme
A pioneering programme to support young deaf people in gaining the experience they will need to become the trustees of tomorrow.
