‘Delighted and honoured’ - Phil Friend OBE made Vice President
After serving 9 years as a trustee, Dr Phil Friend OBE Hon D.Sc. FRSA has been named as Activity Alliance Vice President. He becomes the second Vice President for the organisation alongside John Amaechi OBE.
Phil is acknowledged as one of the UK's foremost consultants on disability matters. A powerful and highly popular communicator, he has provided consultancy, training and mentoring support to many of the country's best-known companies.
His appointment as Vice President was shared at the charity’s Annual General Meeting last week. Speaking afterwards he described his pleasure that he would still be a part of the charity:
"I do feel honoured, what really matters to me is that it keeps me in touch with Activity Alliance because I’ve been a trustee for 9 years now. I don’t want to lose the relationships I’ve got with the organisation, and I believe in what it’s trying to do. So, if I can help keep that journey going in my own way I’m going to do it, I’m delighted and honoured."
Phil was awarded an OBE in 2001 for services to equal opportunities and disabled people. He became an honorary Doctor of Science (Hon DSc) in 2009 in recognition of his outstanding contribution to equality and diversity from University of Hertfordshire. He co-authored 'Why are you pretending to be normal?' a self-help book designed to encourage disabled people to manage rather than cope with their disability.
Over his tenure on the board he saw huge change across the organisation, adding:
"The 9 years that I have spent with the alliance has seen enormous growth, we are much more engaged. I think one of the major changes was when we moved strictly away from sport and Paralympic messaging to one of physical activity. If pushing a lawnmower up your grass is what you want to do then good for you. I think that’s been massive for us.
"We also oversaw more inclusion and diversity around board appointments and staff appointments, trying to bring different people’s voices in the equation. We’ve got a very talented staff team now and we’ve got a brilliant board, so I leave it in good order."
The former chair of Disability Rights UK and RADAR signed off his first discussion as Vice President with a touch of humour that those lucky enough to have worked with him know well, “by the it wasn’t just me, there were a lot of other people involved!”
Everyone at Activity Alliance would like to thank Phil for his contribution as a trustee, and look forward to his continued enthusiasm and support to our cause as Vice President.
