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Susan Daniels OBE to step down as CEO of National Deaf Children's Society

Published Date: 23 Jan 2025

BSL version

Susan Daniels OBE, chief executive at the National Deaf Children’s Society, the leading charity for deaf children and their families, will step down from her role in July 2025, after 33 years’ service.

Susan joined the National Deaf Children's Society as CEO in 1992 and has seen the charity grow significantly during her time with the organisation.

Susan has led the way to improving the lives deaf children and their families including driving the introduction of the NHS Newborn Hearing screening programme and increasing the focus on the importance of early intervention for children with hearing loss. Under her leadership, the National Deaf Children’s Society has grown from a small charity with an income of £1 million to one with a turnover of over £33 million.

Before joining the National Deaf Children’s Society, Susan was Head of Education, Employment and Training and then Head of Policy and Research at the Royal National Institute for Deaf People. In 2006, she was awarded an OBE for services to deaf children and their families.

Susan, who is profoundly deaf, is a firm believer that deaf children can do anything other children can do, given the right support from the start. This is encapsulated in the charity’s 2023 – 2028 strategy ‘Every Moment Counts’, which sets out its’ ambitious plan to reach every deaf child wherever they are and whenever they need it.

As well as her role as chief executive at the National Deaf Children’s Society, Susan is also Chair of Groundbreakers, an informal network of female voluntary sector CEOs and a governance trainer for Civil Society, roles she intends to continue. 

Commenting on her decision to stand down, Susan said: 

“I have loved every minute of my time at the National Deaf Children’s Society and am immensely proud and privileged to have had the opportunity to lead the charity. But with a fantastic team in place, it’s the right time to pass on the mantle and embark on a new chapter, both for the organisation and me personally.”

Dominic Holton, Chair of Trustees at the National Deaf Children’s Society, said:

“Warmest thanks to Susan for everything she has given and achieved over the years. Under her leadership, the charity has been instrumental in driving significant change in the landscape for deaf children, transforming the lives of many thousands of families.

“It has been a privilege for my Board colleagues and I to work alongside Susan, where we have been continually inspired by her strength and clarity of vision, alongside her incredible drive and commitment. We will miss her wisdom, her warmth and her unwavering energy. She should be incredibly proud of her many achievements, and we wish her all the very best on her next adventure.”

Susan will leave the organisation in the summer and work is underway to recruit her successor.