Governance & Trustees

David brings extensive expertise in delivering Deaf-specific community projects and lived understanding. He has served as Chair of the Board of Trustees for Bexley Deaf Group since 2018. He is also currently Secretary for Bexley Deaf Club.
In his professional capacity, he works as an Acceptance to Run Manager at Capgemini.
In his spare time, David enjoys playing pickleball and golf and was recently selected to play for England Deaf Golf.

Mark has a wealth of knowledge concerning the running of charities and deals with most governance matters for the Trustee Board. Mark’s father suffered with hearing loss so understands the difficulties that those with hearing loss can face.
As well as Bexley Deaf Centre, Mark helps with other local and national charities and has broad third sector skills. In addition to this, Mark is a member of Rotary International and Membership Officer for his local Branch of the Campaign for Real Ale.
This does not leave much time for Mark to enjoy his other passion, which is cycling.

Neale has worked in the insurance industry for 40 years; for the last 20 years as a Director of Stewart & Partners, handling key accounts and dealing with the day to day running of the office. In 2024, the business was sold and has now become part of a large insurance group called Brown & Brown, where he currently holds a Commercial Executive role.
Neale loves sport, travel and spending time with family and supports his local football team – Charlton Athletic.

Having been a social worker with the Deaf community and people with sensory needs in Bexley for over 20 years, Amanda recognises the important role Bexley Deaf Centre has in raising awareness and providing practical support. She also valued the partnership working between the Deaf Centre and the sensory team.
Amanda has now moved on to a new career as a BSL interpreter, where she feels she is able to add her contribution to Bexley Deaf Centre’s valuable work.

Sarah brings lived experience to the board, having lost her hearing from contracting meningitis as a small child. Her first language is BSL.
She grew up in a hearing family and also has an 18-year-old son.
Sarah worked for Lloyds Bank for 35 years before being made redundant and now works as a TA in a primary school with Deaf children.
In her spare time Sarah enjoys crafts and wildlife photography. She is also passionate about volunteering for charities and helping to raise valuable funds.

Tim has had an extensive career working in social housing, adult social care and health. Most recently he worked for the South East London Integrated Care System as Bexley’s Mental Health Commissioning Manager, a role which also involved close partnership working with local voluntary sector providers, including the Bexley Deaf Centre. 
Since taking a career break from the NHS, Tim has been studying for a counselling diploma and in his spare time is a musician. He has played the trumpet since the age of 10 and plays with various orchestras.

Belliappa has been a trustee of the Bexley Deaf Centre since 2023, bringing experience from working in large organisations to support the charity’s initiatives. He is a technology architect with over 20 years experience designing and developing enterprise software solutions. He currently works as an Integration Architect at Samworth \brothers.
His commitment to the charity is also personal; his grandfather was severely hard of hearing, which has influenced his desire to support the deaf and hard of hearing community.
In his spare time, Belliappa enjoys tennis and other racket sports.

Barry has been involved with Bexley Deaf Centre since 1994. He stepped down as trustee in 2025 and was honoured to be asked to be a Patron for the charity. He is also involved with Sidcup Deaf Club and has played an active role at Bexley Deaf Club in the past.
He has been a huge campaigner locally for equal access to information and services for deaf people in British Sign Language and taught BSL in adult education settings for over 30 years.
Barry had a busy working life, his most enjoyable job being at The Royal Courts of Justice where he worked before he retired.
In his spare time, Barry enjoys visiting places of interest and is a train and tram enthusiast.