New trustees join the Fight for Sight

Fight for Sight, the UK’s leading eye research charity, is delighted to welcome two new trustees to their board.

Alina Kessel

Alina Kessel is a global executive at WPP, the world leader in marketing communications. She has over 25 years of experience building brands, growing client businesses and running advertising agencies.

Alina has lived and worked in the USA, Australia and Germany prior to the UK. She currently leads a multi-agency team to service Procter & Gamble, driving strategies and communication across audiences and media channels for their global Brands. She is also a Board Trustee of Glyndebourne Opera.

As well as sitting on the trustee board, Alina will also bring her extensive communications experience to support Fight for Sight’s Marketing and Fundraising Committee.

“The outstanding work Fight for Sight is doing to fund pioneering scientific research deserves to be more visible so it can be much better funded. We are not short of ideas, only of the means to turn them into reality. I am honoured to be able to help this very worthwhile cause.”

Steve Blackman

Steve Blackman is the Commercial Director of digital agency group Draw, and brings 25 years of experience of leading commercial and communications activities. He has worked both client and agency side, and has owned and managed successful companies including Flint London, which co-ran the non-accredited media centre for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Steve is a school governor and also serves as a trustee of the Barfil Charitable Trust.

Steve will also join Alina as a member of the charity’s Marketing and Fundraising Committee.

"Our mission is to put an end to sight loss, and we can only do that by funding pioneering research. At the moment we are able to fund just one in eight research applications, and changing that means a substantial uplift in awareness, education and funding. The role of marketing, especially over digital channels has never been more important, so I am excited to have joined Fight for Sight's Board of Trustees at this transformational time."

They will work closely with the chair of the board of trustees, Nigel Pantling, and the charity’s CEO, Michele Acton, who said: “It is always a pleasure having new trustees join us and I’m delighted to welcome Alina and Steve to the board. They will each play an important role in helping shape the charity and we are grateful for their support in helping create a future everyone can see.”