Please read the biographies of the two trustee candidates and carefully consider their views before making your decision.
You will need to give your membership number when voting, you can find this on your letter we sent you.
All votes need to be received by 5pm on Friday 21 June 2024.
Candidate statements
Rt Hon Chloe Smith
Rt Hon Chloe Smith has served in Parliament for fifteen years, including a decade in ministerial and Cabinet roles.
As Minister for Disabled People, Work and Health, she co-led the British Sign Language Act 2022, working cross-party and with many campaigners in the Deaf community.
Experience of deafness in her family drew her to work with RNID’s campaign for better subtitling, and she is thrilled to continue these efforts as a trustee.
Chloe now focuses on tech, innovation, and science, as well as the global economy, labour market, pensions and the future of work. She is passionate about disability, diversity and talent in business.
She is an Honorary Fellow with the University of East Anglia. Chloe’s also a trustee for a regional cancer charity, after her own brush with breast cancer, and she speaks publicly to encourage others to check for signs of cancer and seek support.
Jessica Rasmussen
Jessica spent 30 years working in Investment Banking as a Global Markets expert, with her last 10 years at Bank of America, London as a Managing Director managing teams across products.
Since then, Jessica has led Two Magnolias, an Early-Stage Venture Capital fund, built on the founding principles of investing in entrepreneurs focused on Sustainability and Human Health solutions in the UK. Transitioning from the financial sector to private capital markets has provided Jessica with a unique perspective on the intersection of business, social impact, and equity.
Experience in navigating complex financial landscapes whilst advocating for underrepresented voices will contribute significantly to the strategic direction and governance of RNID.
As a female CEO, Jessica is acutely aware of the importance of diversity and inclusion in leadership positions and is committed to leveraging her platform and influence, to amplify the voices of those affected by deafness.
Jessica’s son was born with congenital partial hearing loss in one ear and has herself suffered from single ear tinnitus over the last year which was brought on suddenly post a very standard seasonal virus infection. Jessica is passionate about putting deafness ‘stigma” on the back burner and fostering open conversations that promote understanding, empathy, and acceptance.
Elections Voting Form
It’s easy to vote – all we need is your name and membership number.
I declare that I am a member of RNID and am entitled to vote.