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BDA Staff
Paul Marsden
Chief Executive
Paul joined the BDA in June 2010 after working on policy development for third sector organisations in Europe. Prior to that Paul was a Member of Parliament for eight years and subsequently held posts as Director of Policy for a charity and Chief Executive of a trade association.
Sharon Blake
Training Manager
Sharon joined the BDA in January 2009 and has been keen to continue the expansion and growth of the training offering with specific emphasis on bespoke events. With a strong learning and development background gained in a corporate environment, Sharon’s role includes training delivery and course management. She brings her management development and coaching experience into the development of new courses and training products in a new and exciting arena.
Sharon holds MCIPD and various psychometric tool qualifications.
Paul Brackley
Training Co-ordinator
Paul joined the BDA in September 2007 to administer the work of the new BDA Training agency. He is responsible for the coordination all of BDA Training’s open and bespoke training to parents, teachers & employers. Paul, a post-graduate of the Nottingham Law School and a Technician of the Institute of Revenues, Ratings & Valuations, has previously worked in general and commercial legal practice, Central and Local Government administering subsidies and benefits, before moving into software conversion and system support.
Sue Flohr
Helpline & Policy Manager
Sue is the BDA National Helpline and Policy Manager. She joined the BDA in 1990 as a volunteer and then job shared as Helpline Manager for a number of years combining working for the BDA and SpLD teaching. Her experience spans across all sectors and in the workplace, sue is also a qualified DSA Access Assessor. She has a particular interest in linguistics and modern foreign languages and dyslexia and in her latest role with supporting BDA Policy strategy.
Donna Gray
Project Officer; the Dyslexia Project Liverpool
Donna joined the BDA in January 2007 as the Project Officer for Liverpool. Her role involves providing training, consultation and support for teams within Liverpool Children’s Services as they work towards becoming a Dyslexia Friendly Organisation. In March 2008 the BDA were success in securing additional funding for work in Liverpool for a further three years. Donna’s work with Children’s Services has now developed further. The project now aims to work directly with young people with dyslexia and is developing links with those from black and ethnic minority community groups.
Joanne Gregory
Quality Mark Business Development Manager
Joanne joined the BDA in February 2005 as Project Manager for Project Success; an ESF initiative providing ICT resources and training to learning centres across Wales to support their dyslexic and SpLD learners. Having successfully completed this project in March 2008, Joanne has progressed to her current position to develop the BDA Quality Mark initiative. Prior to joining the BDA Joanne has worked extensively in marketing, publishing and business development in both the corporate and not for profit sectors.
Beverley Jones
Financial Controller
Bev has been with the BDA since January 2006. Alongside managing the finance team, Bev is responsible for all aspects of financial reporting and analysis, including financial management of projects. Bev spent her earlier career working with a growing telecommunications business and more recently enjoyed many years with US Corporation Dun & Bradstreet.
Rachel Lawson
Media Communications Officer
Rachel joined the BDA in November 2007 and is responsible for all of the BDA’s internal and external communications, including Contact magazine and the website. Rachel graduated from Liverpool John Moores University with a degree in Journalism in 2004, and joined the BDA from the Association of Convenience Stores where she spent two years as Communications Co-ordinator.
Amberley Rainey
PA to CEO
Amberley joined the BDA in March 2008 as PA to the Chief Executive Judi Stewart. Her role as PA is extremely varied and involves aspects of fundraising, HR and membership administration. Amberley graduated from the University of Surrey where she studied Retail Management. After three years of working as a PA in the retail industry, Amberley decided she wanted to get involved in the charity world.
Debbie Rautenbach
Education & Conferences Executive
Debbie joined the BDA in January 2010 working in the Education Department. Her role involves providing information about continuing or applying for Course accreditation and providing teachers and other professionals with information on finding an accredited course and making an application to the BDA for Accreditation. Debbie is also responsible for the BDA’s Conferences and enjoys helping to make them a success and of interest and use to the professionals who attend. Debbie previously worked as a Branch Development Officer looking after 12 regional branches for a charity, organising conferences and events.
Kate Saunders
Chief Education Officer
Dr. Kate Saunders is the Education and Policy Director of the British Dyslexia Association. Kate has 20+ years of experience in the field of dyslexia and special educational needs, having worked as a Senior Specific Learning Difficulties/Dyslexia Advisory Teacher, Special Educational Needs Coordinator, chartered psychologist and lecturer. Kate has a Ph.D. in Education and is co-author of 'How Dyslexics Learn', published by PATOSS.
Arran Smith
Membership and Project Officer
Arran has been working as a volunteer for the BDA since 2008 and has worked closely to support the organisation and its members. Arran is severely dyslexic and understands the problems and barriers that dyslexic individuals face.
Arran has known about his dyslexia since the age of nine and became a member of the Leicestershire Dyslexia Association, where he is now the Vice Chairman; a role which he is deeply passionate about.
Ian Young
Finance and Operations Manager
Ian began working for the BDA in November 2009 in a role that covers both the Financial aspects and the Office Manager duties of the BDA. Ian’s background is within the Public Sector where he has work mainly in the Finance area. Ian is delighted to be working for BDA.
Ian also has a passion for music and is keenly involved with a number of local music organisations.
Giannina Zerilli
Accounts Administrator
Giannina joined the BDA in December 1982 part- time, dealing with Helpline, Membership and Accounts, when there were only four staff. In 1984 the BDA moved to Reading as the BDA was expanding and taking on more staff, Giannina’s work changed to full-time Accounts Administrator Sales and Bought Ledger which she still does but on a much larger scale. Giannina enjoys her work at the BDA and has just celebrated 25 years. Giannina is also the Archive Keeper of BDA and has records going back to the beginning of BDA in 1972.
