
John Beesley
Trustee
John Beesley joined our Board of Trustees in 2025. He brings experience from his distinguished broadcasting career and a lifelong personal connection to radio.
From an early age radio has played an important role in John’s life. Growing up in a military family in the 1960s, listening to news and programmes on the radio provided a connection to life in the UK, wherever his family were posted. It was during this time that John, who was born with low vision, heard about British Wireless for the Blind Fund through the charity’s annual on-air fundraiser broadcast by forces radio station BFBS.
Later, while attending a school for people living with sight loss in the UK, John met a friend whose father had received an adapted radio from BWBF. “Like me he was an avid listener, and we had many lively conversations about the things he’d heard on that set.” These formative experiences sparked John’s passion for audio and politics - two interests that went on to shape his future.
John studied social and political sciences at Cambridge University where he also began contributing to a newly launched independent local radio station. After graduating, he joined the station full-time as a trainee journalist, later becoming a producer and presenter. This early newsroom experience laid the foundations for a long and successful broadcasting career.
Over the next four decades, John worked in both commercial radio and at the BBC, with roles at the World Service and Radio 4’s Westminster Hour. Since retiring in 2019, he has remained active in the audio world, volunteering with local radio and podcasting projects.
As a Trustee, John brings not only his vast knowledge of radio and empathy from his own experience of living with low vision, but also a thoughtful, analytical approach, shaped by his understanding of how systems and organisations operate, and a keen interest in people and their aspirations.
Outside of his professional work, John enjoys singing and performs with amateur choirs and barbershop quartets. He also keeps busy with reading, theatre trips, countryside walks, and has recently begun piano lessons.
Meet our Trustees

Mike Brace CBE, DL
Chair of Trustees
Mike became our Chair of Trustees in 2024. He is a former Paralympic skier, social worker, and charity leader.

Gerry Thorn
Vice Chair
Gerry joined our Board of Trustees in 2018, after a lifetime spent working in the world of radio and TV.

Jason Mowe
Treasurer
Jason Mowe joined our Board of Trustees in 2002, bringing four decades’ experience in retail and commercial banking.

Lindsey Mack
Trustee
Lindsey Mack became a Trustee in 2018. She brings extensive experience from a long career in radio broadcasting.

Mark Noble
Trustee
Mark Noble joined our Board of Trustees in 2013 after many years as a supporter of the charity.

Quentin Howard
Trustee
Quentin joined our Board of Trustees in 2019, bringing experience from his long career in radio broadcasting and engineering.