David Clarke OBE
Chief Executive, Paralympics GB
David Clarke is aged 53 and hales from Wigan in North West England and since 1995 has lived in Harpenden with his wife and two sons. Based on a sound academic footing, David developed a highly successful career in the banking sector spanning 24 years and an International Football career which has seen him represent Great Britain and England’s blind football team 144 times scoring a total of 128 goals.
During 2018, David took a conscious decision to play an active role in the third sector following on from several non-executive positions held. In July 2018, he joined the RNIB as Director of Services where he was keenly focused on ensuring visually impaired people have access to the information, advice and guidance they need alongside providing consumer and Commercial services which seek to remove barriers to inclusion.
David was promoted to Chief Operating Officer in February 2022. In March 2023, David was appointed as the first disabled CEO of the British Paralympic Association, a role that brings together his sporting, commercial and third sector skill set in to what he describes as a truly dream role. He is now keenly focused on leading best prepared teams in to the Summer and Winter Paralympic Games and driving forward the social impact ambition of the organisation to through sport inspire a better world for disabled people.
“Terrific work going on across society fuelled and driven by disabled people who not only recognise the many injustices they face but are fighting every day to change attitudes, behaviours and ultimately the world to bring greater equity to their own lives and the lives of all disabled people. The Disability Power 100 is a way of recognising this important work but also hopefully acts to re-energise such people to continue what is emotionally challenging and terribly difficult work often taking years if not decades to bring about change.”
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