Our spokespeople
If you are looking for a quote or an interview, we have a number of experts who can help you.
Our spokespeople can comment on a range of issues from benefits, eye health, NHS capacity concerns and social inclusion to the impact of technology on the lives of people with sight loss.
We can also organise interviews with blind and partially sighted people who can share their personal experiences and views on the barriers they face.
To request a statement or interview please contact the Press Office on 020 7391 2223 (07968 482 812 out-of-hours) or [email protected].
Here are details of some of our key spokespeople:
Eleanor Southwood, Chair
Eleanor, who has been blind since birth, is RNIB’s youngest ever Chair and the first woman to hold the position. She took on the role in November 2017 at the age of 35 having become a Trustee in 2010. She can speak about RNIB’s services and position on issues affecting people with sight loss, as well as sharing her personal experiences.
Eliot Lyne, Interim Chief Executive
Eliot can comment on RNIB’s services, plans and ambitions, as well as the charity’s position on issues affecting people with sight loss. Eliot can also share his views on the challenges facing the charity sector, with a particular focus on disability charities.
David Clarke, Director of Services
A former Paralympic footballer, David joined RNIB from a commercial background, and leads our services which provide advice, information and support to people living with sight loss in the UK via the National Sight Loss Advice Service. He can comment on a range of topics including the placement of eye clinic liaison officers (ECLOs), the provision of practical and emotional support and the impact of RNIB’s Reading, Retail and Business services, as well as sharing his personal experiences.
Sophie Castell, Director of Relationships
With experience of working across the commercial, charity and public sectors, Sophie leads our marketing, fundraising, social change and community engagement functions. She can talk about importance of brand and reputation, partnership working, fundraising strategies and how we are creating and engaging with our community to reach more blind and partially sighted people.
Keith Valentine, Director of Development
Keith has a background in leading urban renewal programmes but, as his own vision deteriorated, he turned his energies to the sight loss sector. He can comment on RNIB's eye health and sight loss pathway partnerships, plans for the future and innovation, as well as sharing his personal experiences.
Sarah Lambert, Head of Social Change
Sarah has worked in policy, campaigns and communications for many years and is passionate about sharing RNIB’s vision of a world without barriers for people with sight loss, whilst highlighting the social change needed to achieve this. She can comment on issues spanning social care, employment, accessible information, accessible streets and transport and disability benefits, as well as eye health, access to treatment and capacity concerns.
Alex McDowell, Head of Public Fundraising
With almost 20 years' experience in fundraising, Alex McDowell leads a team responsible for all RNIB’s public fundraising activities. This includes individual giving, gifts in wills, community fundraising and active challenges, and he can share insights on these subjects. Alex is currently Chair of Remember a Charity, which is a sector wide campaign to increase legacy giving.
