Executive Officers and Trustees
Sue O'Hara - CEO
Sue O’Hara worked in the commercial management sector for many years before joining BlindAid, having worked predominantly in Global Corporate Relocation as a senior policy and group move director for clients of FTSE 100 organisations in the private, public & third sectors. Additional experience also includes advertising and public affairs; as well as working as a voluntary bereavement counsellor for a number of years. Sue joined BlindAid in 2009 and was appointed to CEO in 2012.
Ajay Rawal: Chair of Trustees
Ajay leads the Financial Services Leader sector in the EY Central, Eastern and Southeastern Europe & Central Asia (CESA) region. He also works with accounts teams in other emerging markets in EMEIA, including Africa, India and MENA, to drive transformative growth on priority international accounts. Ajay was appointed to the Board in October 2022 and took over the role of Chair of the Charity in 2023
Natalie de Silva
Natalie de Silva is currently Chief Executive of the charity Age UK Wandsworth, which supports vulnerable older people with a variety of services in the borough of Wandsworth. She is an innovative and strategic leader with specialist experience and training in change management. Prior to leadership in the voluntary sector, Natalie worked in education for two decades, serving as a teacher and then headteacher in inner city London schools. Natalie was appointed to the Board in October 2022
Kassim Gaffar
Kassim Gaffar completed an Msc in IT systems from London School of Economics and subsequently qualified as a chartered accountant with Deloitte in London. He has worked in the financial services sector since 1997, having held a number of roles in the corporate and investment banking arm of HSBC. He is currently Director of Techrun Technologies Ltd, a company that providing IT services to non-profit and social sector enterprises. He is Honorary Treasurer of the Prisoners Advice Service, a charity that provides assistance to prisoners. He also mentors a number of start-up businesses. Kassim was appointed to the Board of the Charity in November 2013.
Alison Gordon
Alison has spent 40+ years in the voluntary sector mobilising funding to improve the lives of vulnerable and marginalised people across the world. Working at senior and Director levels in leading international charities, she specialised in strategy development and implementation with a focus on income diversification and organisational financial sustainability. Since her early 20s, Alison has lived and worked with Stargardt disease (an uncommon form of macular degeneration) so understands the challenges faced by visually impaired people, all of whom have the right and potential to enjoy fulfilled and dignified lives. Alison was appointed to the Board in October 2022
Rachel Holdsworth
Rachel studied biological sciences at the University of Oxford before moving into the investment management industry. She is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment and now works for Ruffer LLP where she manages portfolios for a range of private clients, corporations and charities. She is also a volunteer at BlindAid. Rachel was appointed to the Board in November 2021
Adam Sandelson
Adam Sandelson is a Senior BACP Accredited Counsellor/Psychotherapist, and has been Accredited since 1993. He worked for 11 years in the NHS, including managing a local counselling service covering 13 GP practices. He also has 16 years experience managing a large counselling service and then as a senior manager for counselling, mental health and disability at the London School of Economics (LSE). Adam is passionate about working to improve services to marginalised and disabled people, and has a personal interest in supporting individuals who are having to come to terms with a visual impairment and sight loss. Adam was appointed to the Board in October 2022
John Small
John is an Associate Director in the Transactional Risks practice at insurance services firm WTW. A lawyer by training, he spent many years advising global companies and government entities on complex transactions. John has a deep commitment to volunteering and in addition to his legal experience and qualifications has worked as a carer with autistic youth, is a British Army Reserve Officer and holds Masters degrees from both University College London and the University of Edinburgh. John was appointed to the Board in March 2023