Don joined as Chair of Trustees in 2024. He brings extensive skills in architectural technology and passion for the Deaf community to the leadership of the Trust’s board.
He said: “I am honoured to take on the role of Chair of Trustees at Doncaster Deaf Trust.
“I am passionate about Deaf education and community, and I look forward to working with the board to support and grow our services.”
Don is an ex-student of the Trust’s college studying Building Studies for an HND from 1985 to 1988, back when the college was called Doncaster Deaf College. He is a dedicated family man, engaged to Lynne Dunne, who works as a Deaf instructor at a mainstream school in Wakefield. He has a Deaf teenager and a hearing son and together, they are deeply embedded in the Deaf community and committed to advocating for the needs and rights of Deaf individuals.
“Returning to Doncaster Deaf Trust, decades after attending the college, to lead the board of trustees is a huge achievement for me and I am proud to be taking on this role,” added Don.
Sue joined as a Trustee in 2020 and is the Vice Chair of the board, Safeguarding Representative and nursery Registered Individual.
She brings with her 35 years' experience as a Music Teacher, much of which was done in SEN settings. She is also Chair of Governors of a a large infant school, a role she has undertaken since 2017.
Sue has been the Chair of Doncaster Choral Society for 25 years, working with professional orchestras and soloists. Life Patron.
She is keen to continue to assist in the development of robust strategies which will enable the Trust to remain viable for years to come and to ensure that her areas of responsibility are carried out to the benefit of our children and young people through supporting the staff who deliver a daily quality provisions.
Sue's personal interests include choral music, cricket, cooking, reading and having fun with her grandchildren.
Charles joined as a Trustee in 2020 with a wealth of experience and a strong family connection to the Trust.
He is a senior Partner of the Clayton & Frickley Farm Partnerships (rural land management with residential and commercial property) and served as Chairman of the British Horse Racing Authority [BHA] Disciplinary Panel as well as serving on the BHA Appeal Board and holding the post of Racecourse Chairman of the Stewarding Panel.
Charles brings expertise in Estate property management to the Trust along with knowledge of regulation and running regulatory bodies.
He is a keen sportsman with a love of rural pursuits, horse racing and rugby union.
Mark joined as a Trustee in 2018 bringing with him experience as a Company Director and a Charity Trustee.
He has set up and run businesses, chaired and been a Trustee of charities and working in property management and farming, he is also an experience mentor.
Mark is keen to support the Trust with fundraising and objective non conflicted oversight and advice.
His personal interests include the countryside and the arts.
Tom Bell joined the board in February this year (2024).
He is a Director of SignVideo and a father to three deaf sons.
Tom's aim is to enhance the presence of deaf role models and to see more deaf children benefit from the educational opportunities at Doncaster Deaf Trust.
This is partly in honour of his wife Louise's grandmother, a former student of Doncaster School for the Deaf, and reflects his commitment to the deaf community.
Tom said: "I am thrilled to join the board at Doncaster Deaf Trust as I am keen to contribute my time, expertise, and skills to the deaf community.
Kate has been a Chartered Member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (MCIPD) for over 30 years. She has worked in a variety of private companies, then moved to a government agency for schools and for the last 25 years has been working in local government and in schools in a range of HR roles specialising in employee relations, recruitment and policy development. During the pandemic Kate spent time managing and supporting testing services.
Kate has a “long” family connection with the Deaf Trust as her mother started her teaching career at the Deaf School, her sister has worked at the school for over 30 years and her son was one of the first babies to attend the nursery when it reopened as Little Learners.
Kate has been a Trustee since 2023 and is hoping to use her range of skills to support the Trust.
Neil joined as a Trustee in 2024.
He is a former police Superintendent, finishing his career managing operational policing in Doncaster. He was also a member of the Adults and Children’s Safeguarding Boards and the Community Safety Partnership.
Neil is currently the Chair of the Youth Justice Service Management Board in Doncaster as well as an Associate Hospital Manager in two mental health facilities in the Region.
Neil brings expertise in safeguarding, influencing at strategic partnership level, risk management and performance delivery.
Neil said ‘ I am delighted to join the Trust and look forward to assisting in its development in the forthcoming years’
Neil’s interests include sport, travel and his dog.
Michael joined the board in 2025, bringing with him experience in technology, business and education.
Michael is the UK Managing Director of Education Technology business ClickView, an award winning video platform used by over 7,000 schools and colleges worldwide.
He began his career in educational technology, founding i-education in 2006, best known for creating the pioneering games-based learning platform ‘I am learning’. The platform reached over 12,000 schools globally before being acquired by Frog Education in 2012. Following the acquisition, Michael became Deputy Managing Director of Frog, the multi-award winning global educational technology company. Michael expanded Frog into new international markets in Europe and Australia, alongside moving into the corporate LMS market. During his time in Australia, Michael built relationships with the ClickView team which became his new home in 2019.
Michael also has significant experience in governance and regional development. He has served as a non-executive director of Doncaster Chamber of Commerce since 2014, including as its President from 2018 to 2020. He also chaired the British Chambers of Commerce Northern Regional Assembly between 2019 and 2021. Michael is a Member of XP Multi Academy Trust and formally a member of Brighter Futures Learning Partnership Trust.
Michael is proud to support Doncaster Deaf Trust in its mission to deliver outstanding specialist education and care for individuals who are deaf or have communication difficulties and learning disabilities. Having a child with hearing difficulties made Michael ever more aware of the challenges faced by such communities and the ability to contribute in some small way is a genuine privilege.