Our executive team
Working alongside our executive team, Sense chief executive Richard Kramer is responsible for ensuring that we plan and carry out our activities in line with our strategy, vision and our values. Richard and the team report to the board of trustees.
Richard Kramer, CEO
Richard was appointed Sense and Sense International chief executive in July 2018, having joined as deputy chief executive in 2013.
“As chief executive I want to make a real difference and bring positive change for the children, adults and families we support. I am passionate about recognising and championing the role of our front line staff in delivering social care, that people have choice and control over their lives, and that the individuals we support and our families are at the forefront of all that we do.
“My role is to provide clear vision and leadership to run Sense effectively and efficiently and to ensure we understand each other’s perspective, bring passion to our work, and be motivated by empathy and compassion. What is special about Sense is that the nature of our work means that our staff and volunteers develop close and intimate connections with the individuals we support.”
Maria Horton, group director of operations
Maria joined Sense in 2015 as director of operational services. She has responsibility for leading Sense Specialist Services, Sense College, Sense Supported Living, Sense Residential Care and Sense in the community. Maria is Sense’s Nominated Individual with the CQC.
“I feel very lucky to work for Sense as I truly believe that the people we support and their families are at the heart of the charity. I am incredibly proud of my staff and the high quality opportunities they deliver.
“I feel that we all share a collective passion to make a real and lasting difference to the lives of people who are deafblind and those with complex needs and to ensure that no one is left out of life and everyone is supported to fulfil their aspirations.”
Cathy Still, group director of finance and resources
Cathy joined Sense in 2017 and is responsible for providing financial systems and support across the whole business, as well as generating financial information for the management team.
“I feel privileged to work for an organisation delivering much needed services, and excited to work with the brilliant team we have here at Sense.”
Kavita Prasad, director of Sense International
Kavita Prasad joined Sense International in August 2022 and is responsible for all of its operations and strategic growth and direction.
Previously, Kavita was CEO of DeafKidz International and Sound Seekers, organisations dedicated to supporting deaf children and adults in low-and-middle income countries in areas of protection, health and education.
“I am delighted to be part of the amazing Sense International family, supporting people with deafblindness across four continents. I’m incredibly proud of the work we do, helping remove barriers faced by many children and adults with deafblindness across the world. I feel lucky to be working with such a brilliant and dynamic group of people, whose commitment to realising the rights of people with deafblindness and bringing about meaningful change inspires me every day.”
Adrian Darkin, director of trading
Adrian joined Sense in February 2014. He is responsible for the Trading Directorate, which generates income for the organisation through our hundred plus shops.
“I feel inspired working for Sense as I have had the privilege to meet just some of the people we support through volunteering on a Sense Holiday, our campaigning and our activities across the country. I feel incredibly lucky to lead a trading team who can connect the public to support this work through the shops.”
Emma Evans, director of people
Emma joined the Sense team in August 2021 and is responsible for leading our people team, comprising of HR, learning and development, internal communications as well as our people services and systems.
“I was drawn to Sense by the focus of our work in supporting people with complex disabilities – this is a point of personal pride for me as I thrive in seeing people achieve both personal and professional goals. Working somewhere that makes a clear, tangible difference to so many people is amazing – the people we support are always the key focus in everything we do.
“In the people team, that means how we enable and engage our employees to bring their best selves to work. If our people are happy in their work then this will follow through into the care and provision of services we offer.”
Dave Rutt, director of data, insight and technology
Dave joined Sense in February 2023 and is responsible for leading work on Data and Technology, helping the whole organisation to make best use of them to help the people we support. His work focuses on using our data to take forward our strategy and finding opportunities to use digital and technology services to support front line and enabling teams.
“Working at Sense is different from many Data and Technology roles: I feel much more closely connected with the people we support. Being part of an organisation that works with people with specific and diverse needs presents a unique opportunity to develop digital services to help meet those needs. It’s doing what Technology should be great at – translating information into multiple forms to meet the individual’s needs and preferences. It’s a privilege to have the opportunity to work on this at Sense”
Louise Robertshaw, group director of engagement
Louise joined Sense in 2022 and is responsible for leading our growth through fundraising, trading, brand and communications, public policy and campaigning.
“I am inspired every day by the Sense community and its determination to always find a way to meet the needs of people with complex disabilities or who are deafblind, so they can live their lives to the full.”