EUD Board Announcement – Executive Director Departure

The EUD Board wishes to announce that, after more than sixteen years as Executive Director, Mark Wheatley is leaving the EUD at the end of December 2023 to start the next and exciting chapter of his career in a new role as Chief Executive Officer of the Royal Association for Deaf people (RAD).

Sofia Isari, the President of the European Union of the Deaf (EUD), said:

Over the last 16 years, Mark has made an exceptional and passionate contribution to developing the EUD and our mission. Starting from so few, seeing any European country introduce a legal status of their national Sign Language is incredible. Now, 30 out of 31 countries have introduced new laws relating to their own national Sign Languages. Mark’s leadership successfully pushed forward numerous policy statements and publications, promoting Deaf Europeans’ rights and inclusion as equal and valued citizens, the same as everyone else. Everyone at EUD thanks Mark for his leadership and wishes him all the best in his new role in the United Kingdom.

Mark Wheatley, the outgoing Executive Director of EUD, also said:

Reflecting on my 16 years at the EUD, it’s been an honour to collaborate with 31 national associations of the Deaf. We’ve worked together to promote, preserve, and protect Sign Languages, notably within the European Parliament and Commission. The decision to step down wasn’t easy, but my commitment to advocating for Deaf citizens and organisations across Europe remains steadfast.

Over the next few months, EUD will unveil plans to facilitate a smooth transition in leadership, ensuring the continuity and success of our ongoing projects, so the search will soon begin!

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