New Non-Executive Directors of Board for Remploy Announced by DWP Minister

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Joe Mann MBE and Ian Thornley have joined Remploys Board of Directors in non-executive appointments.

The Secretary of State for the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) made the appointments in May 2006 following the departure of former Board Member Anna Vinton and the approaching departure of Alan Tuffin. Ian Thornelys business experience and management of a recruitment agency, and Joe Manns associations with the disability field is hoped to bring an abundance of experience and influence to drive forward Remploy’s vision of finding 20,000 jobs for disabled people.

Remploy

Ernest Bevin, then Minister of Labour, set up Remploy in 1944. Originally known as the Disabled Persons Employment Corporation, the Remploy name was adopted in 1946. Remploy is a non-departmental public body, which receives financial aid from the Department of Work and Pensions to deliver a range of employment opportunities for disabled people.

Remploy provides these employment opportunities for disabled people through its own service and manufacturing businesses. Remploy businesses include automotive, electronics, furniture, healthcare and household industries. As well as its commercial body, Remploy provides direct support through its specialised employment agency – Remploy Interwork. Remploy’s five year target, to find 20,000 jobs for disabled people in mainstream employment, has been moved forward with the opening of three high street branches, which aim to offer employers and employees convenient, accessible and direct support.

Joe Mann MBE was appointed to the Governments Disability Rights Task Force during his time as General Secretary of the National League of the Blind and Disabled from 1995 -2000. He is a member of the Labour Party National Policy Forum, the Labour Party National Executive Committee and the Executive Committee of the General Federation of Trade Unions. Chartered Accountant Ian Thornely worked in the accountancy profession for 7 years before joining Northwest Airlines in 1992 undertaking various management posts. His experience also extends to working as Managing Director and CEO of Right4Staff – a recruitment agency.

A Ministerial Welcome

Anna McGuire MP, Minister for Disabled People, welcomed the appointments of Ian Thornley and Joe Mann MBE to Remploy’s Board of Directors. She said: “I am very pleased that we have been able to attract such high calibre individuals to work with Remploy and would also like to offer my thanks to both Anna Vinton and Alan Tuffin for their service to Remploy.”

John Hutton MP, Secretary of State for Work and Pensions at the DWP, said: “I am delighted that Joe Mann MBE and Ian Thornley will be joining the Remploy Board. They will bring a wealth of experience to the Company, both in terms of their respective successful careers in Trade Unionism and business and their personal commitment to supporting disabled people.”

Manju Rani

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