Posted 03.06.2021

Northern Ireland’s largest pan-disability charity, Disability Action, is proud to announce that Andrea Brown is the new CEO to lead the organisation in a manner which upholds the rights of and delivers the best possible outcomes for disabled people, their families and carers.

Andrea joined the charity in 2003 and has been Interim CEO since March 2020. She took up her role this week, on Tuesday 1 June, with overall responsibility for the strategic and operational management of the organisation.

During her 18 years with Disability Action, Andrea has undertaken various Finance and Corporate Services roles, and has 15 years significant business experience having previously worked in management roles in the private sector. Andrea’s dedication and experience will ensure that the charity's mission, vision and strategic objectives are met.

Commenting on her appointment, Andrea said:

I am delighted to have been appointed as the new CEO at Disability Action. I am passionately committed to the third sector in Northern Ireland and to increasing the inclusion of disabled people in society.

This role provides the opportunity to continue the work I’ve done as Interim CEO, during a particularly difficult time due to COVID-19, to bring about attitudinal change and change government policy in relation to disabled people with the support of a strong and dedicated Senior Management Team.

Melanie Douglas, Chair of Disability Action’s Board of Directors, said:

I would like to extend our congratulations to Andrea on her success. It has been a pleasure working with Andrea as an interim CEO and we look forward to a great working relationship going forward. Andrea has great plans and we are excited for what’s to come. Congratulations again!

Ends.

For further information please contact our Public Affairs and Engagement Officer Kevin O’Kane:

Email: [email protected]

Tel: 028 9029 7880

Photo below: Andrea Brown

Link to News Release as a MS Word document

Notes to editors

About Andrea

• A committed volunteer Co-Founder/Director/Treasurer with Disability Aid Abroad, delivering livelihood and awareness programmes in East Africa supporting people with disabilities since 2007.
• Currently Treasurer of CADA (Coalition of Aid and Development Agencies in NI).
• Committed to delivering the 2030 Agenda and SDG’s (Sustainable Development Goals).

About Disability Action

• One in five people in Northern Ireland have a disability. Disability Action believes in human rights for all and works to promote, protect and uphold the human rights of disabled people. 
• Disability Action is unique in its work as it is the only Northern Ireland wide pan-disability organisation working with disabled people with various disabilities: physical, mental, sensory, learning and hidden.
• Our Vision: A society which is inclusive, adapts to meet the needs of disabled people rather than one which expects them to fit in, and a society which recognises their right to be different and to live their lives in a way which meets their particular needs without prejudice.
• We provide offer a range of services including Information & Advice, Advocacy, Policy, Research, Employment & Training Support, Capacity Building, Community Development, Training on Disability, Equality, Human Rights & Diversity Issues, Transport and Mobility Assessment. All of these services are aimed at meeting the needs of disabled people as well as to support their families, friends, employers and others thereby improving the quality of life of disabled people in Northern Ireland.
• As a campaigning body, we represent the views of our 100+ member groups, working to bring about positive change to the social, economic and cultural life of disabled people and consequently to our entire community.
• Our Headquarters are located in Belfast with three regional offices in Carrickfergus, Derry~Londonderry and Dungannon.