Ben Blackman hired as Rainbow House chief executive

Ben has 16 years of experience in senior management positions in the not-for-profit sector. He has worked for local, regional and national organisations including Weston Spirit, Plaza Community Cinema, RSPCA, Carers Central and the Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation where he was director of strategic development.

Ben replaces Carole Cochrane, who was chief executive for two years.

"The plans we have include developing a wider array of services and support for those children and young people we work with, as well as providing more for their parents and family members.

Legacy Rainbow House was founded 14 years ago and currently provides over 250 hours of conductive education each week, a therapy which aims to develop the physical and cognitive abilities of children with disabilities and brain injuries. The charity has no statutory funding and raises all of its own funds through donations, grants and fund-raising activities.