Fil Kamps is our new Chair of Trustees

Passionate public servant is the new chair of trustees at Cambridgeshire deaf charity.

Cambridgeshire Deaf Association has elected Fil Kamps as it’s new Chair of trustees, replacing Janie Anderson, who steps aside after 10 years and becomes lead safeguarding trustee. 

Fil was born deaf and has represented England and Great Britain deaf football teams at the World Cup and Deaflympics. He is passionate about the deaf community and spends his spare time mentoring deaf children and teens, particularly young athletes.

He currently works for Kent County Council, managing strategic automation programmes, and is also an ambassador for 2 other charities for both able-bodied and disabled children. Fil says that he cannot wait to get started in his new role;

‘It’s both an honour and a privilege to have been elected by the board as Chair for the Cambridgeshire Deaf Association. Since I joined the board in 2019 we have seen significant growth in the size of the Charity and the number of people it supports and the services it offers for the deaf community in Cambridgeshire. The county has become a sought after destination with deaf people moving into the area as the community continues to thrive here. I’m enthused and motivated to help guide and support Andy Palmer, our CEO, and our wonderful team of staff at CDA to ensure delivery of our outstanding work in the communities we serve.

I’d like to thank the outgoing Chair, Janie, for her wonderful work to date and for her contribution to CDA as Chair. I’m delighted that she will remain on the board as a trustee and safeguarding lead.’

Andy Palmer is the Chief Executive of the Cambridgeshire Deaf Association and is excited by Fil’s appointment. He says that he will bring a diverse range of skills and experience to the board of trustees;

‘We’re naturally delighted that Fil has become the Chair of CDA. Fil brings with him really relevant skills and experience and lived experience of being a deaf person too. We’re coming to an important time at the charity with the development of our new strategy which we hope will really closely identify the needs of communities we’re here for so I’m delighted that Fil has taken on the role to lead the board as we move into a new phase.’

In other changes at the Cambridgeshire Deaf Association Andy Mell replaces Godfrey Palmer as Vice Chair. Godfrey has served the charity for over thirty years and will remain on the board of trustees.