I CAN appoint Roy Blatchford CBE as its new Chair

I CAN appoint Roy Blatchford CBE as its new Chair

I CAN, the Children's Communication charity, has appointed Roy Blatchford as its new Chair of the Board of Trustees.

Roy has had an extensive career in education. Over the last forty years he has been a teacher, headteacher, school governor, government adviser, director of various educational charities, national trainer and keynote speaker. Roy was Her Majesty's Inspector of Schools in England, with responsibilities for school improvement and the national inspection of good and outstanding schools.  

Roy joins I CAN as the charity embarks on its new Three Year Plan. Among the aims of the new plan is to increase awareness in the education and health sectors that speech, language and communication is a fundamental factor in children's development. The charity also wants to reach 250,000 children and young people with communication difficulties (not previously supported by I CAN), through its schools, its training programmes and interventions, and the support it offers to parents.

Roy Blatchford, newly appointed Chair said:

"I am delighted to have joined I CAN and look forward to helping the organisation to continue to develop, expand and increase its range of vital services to families, share best practice amongst SLCN practitioners and promote collaborative partnerships.  I want to ensure I CAN continues to be a leading voice in the third sector and that children and young people with communication needs are at the forefront of government policy and statutory services. At a time when the sector faces huge challenges, I CAN's work has never been more critical."

Roy will succeed Huw Davies who will step down from the position after having served the Board of Trustees for ten years.

Commenting on the departure of Huw Davies and the appointment of Roy Blatchford CBE, Bob Reitemeier CBE, Chief Executive, I CAN said:

"We are incredibly grateful to Huw Davies for his leadership, direction and dedication to I CAN over the last decade. Our new Chair will build on this legacy at a time when voluntary organisations are more important than ever, as the needs of our service users and our two schools become more complex and immediate.  We are excited to welcome Roy, who will guide our Board and our organisation through our next period of development where we aim to serve more and more children, young people and families with language difficulties."