Our Founding Director & Chief Executive Officer

Esmail Patel, was born Deaf and graduated from the University of Central Lancashire with a combined honours degree in business information systems, criminology and career management and is also a qualified teacher. He is a proficient user of British Sign Language which is complemented by his lip-reading skills.

DEAF is heavily involved in the deaf community, providing a number of services designed to encourage and empower deaf people to achieve their personal goals, promotes equality and equal access to information and services. He also has knowledge, experience and skills in employment, education, and the training sector, highly recognised and honoured for his achievements and awards.

In his role as CEO, he is responsible for ensuring the smooth running of the company, and that it is achieving the milestones that it sets itself, as well as making sure that Deaf people are being represented and supported to access everyday services.

 

Jackie Driver is Head of Good Relations at the Equality at Human Rights Commission.  Her programme of work focuses on good relations and community cohesion.  Current programmes include leading on the Disability related harassment formal Inquiry, Beyond Tolerance -  making sexual orientation a public matter and adaptive conversations – balancing interests between equality strands.

Jackie has recently joined DEAF, Deaf Education Advocacy Fellowship, as a board member, an exciting emerging organisation who’s vision is to help build self confidence in Deaf and disabled people’s lives towards achieving their personal goals.

 

Stu Welton has 15 years experience within the media in both the broadcast and corporate sectors. He opened Welton Media Limited in 2009 focusing on web design, graphic design and video production.

Stu has recently joined DEAF, Deaf Education Advocacy Fellowship, as a board member, an exciting opportunity and supporting with Deaf communities in the North West doing Marketing and Media.

 

Richard Finch currently works at the University of Liverpool in the Careers & Employability Service. Prior to this role Richard was Communications Manager for Aimhigher Greater Merseyside for 8 years, a programme that worked to broaden education for under-represented groups.

Richard has recently joined DEAF, Deaf Education Advocacy Fellowship, was subsequently invited to join the board. Richard has extensive experience of the higher education sector, having also worked in student recruitment.