The Talking Newspaper Federation Committee has a maximum of 9 Trustees although a further 3 Trustees can be co-opted for specific tasks. Both elected and co-opted members must be active within a local Talking Newspaper, or connected to an organisation that specialises in the production of audio text or be an Individual Associate Member – all of whom must be members of the Federation. Each member, once their election as a Trustee is ratified at an AGM, serves a 3 year term. After 3 years, they may stand for re-election for another 3 year term if they wish to do so.
Mike Wood – Chair
Mike Wood was appointed TNF Vice President in 2016 but has been a trustee of the Swindon & District Talking Newspaper Association since 1984.
Over the years, Mike has created the Talking News Federation, carrying out all roles within the TNF at one time or another. He was the founder Chairman of TNF, standing down in 2012 when he was appointed Vice President for the first time. He returned to the role of Chair back in 2015 for a year before resuming as Vice President in 2016. Mike has recently taken the role of Chair once again in 2025.
Mike continues to play a key role and works closely with the other TNF Trustees to lead the charity forward as innovation continues to help blind and visually impaired people lead more inclusive lives.
Richard Black – Hon Treasurer
Richard worked in many areas of a major bank for 24 years followed by 12 years with the National Lottery Community Fund. When a reorganisation of the Fund relocated his job to Newcastle upon Tyne in 2007 he left the Fund and worked as a charity consultant until 2015. He is Treasurer of Chelmsford Talking Newspaper and one of their Technical Officers. Since 2014, Richard has been the Treasurer for the Talking News Federation and of three other local charities.
Helen Taverner – Secretary
Helen has been a volunteer at the Plymouth & West Devon Talking Newspaper based in Tavistock for some five years. She is a Sound Engineer and really enjoys the challenges of putting a good recording together, and has also branched out into reading articles when needed. She also manages the Facebook Page for her Talking Newspaper. Helen was previously a Bank Manager’s Secretary for 15 years before having her two children.
Alan Dunderdale – Development
Alan trained as an ambulance man working as First Line (first into emergency situations) where he received training for dealing with all situations, also working with various groups in a training role.
When Alan retired, he met his wife who introduced my to Talking Newspapers. He also started working in a special needs school as a site supervisor in contact with young people.
Alan assisted Burnley TN in the transition from cassettes to USB’s and has held the role with TNF as development lead since 2018.
Daniel White – Technical
Daniel first became aware of Talking Newspapers when he was a child. His Great-Grandma, born in 1899 and living until she was 104, listened to Sheffield Talking News for as long as he can remember. He also remembers seeing her Tapete machine alongside her Compact Cassette Player in later years. When he grew up, Daniel was able to ‘payback’ in some small way by being a Technician at Sheffield Talking News pre-COVID.
With an interest in computers since he was only a few years old, starting with Acorn computers and continuing throughout his education until he received a Bachelor of Science in Computing (with Networks), graduating in 2008 with a Second Class Honours Degree, Upper Division. Since graduating, Daniel has developed his skills further by gaining the Cisco Certified Network Associate, Mikrotik Certified Network Associate, Ubiquiti Enterprise Wireless Admin, VMWare Certified Professional & Apple Certified Technical Coordinator qualifications. His colleagues at work know him as the resident Mac lover and all round Apple fanboy.
Audio Recording and Sound Engineering are both passionate hobbies of Daniel’s and he has worked at many TNF Conferences, making numerous recordings from single voice spoken word, to big bands and Theatre Organs.
Deborah Harrison
Volunteering with my local TN for 13 years as Reader, Team Leader, Technician, Committee member & Publicity Manager, I appreciate audio service’s value to our print-disabled listeners. I joined TNF TalkInfo Team in 2022.
I’m passionate about supporting engagement within local community. Communicating accessible local information & news with people facilitates their fuller participation in & contribution to society. Two-way communication is imperative in finding out what interests listeners & their needs, supporting TNs in providing relevant & enjoyable recordings. In joining as Trustee I aim to encourage enhanced communication within TNF & further develop support to TN membership in creating inclusive, quality recordings.
Margaret Grainger
I have worked in the third sector for over 40 years, 37 of which was as CEO at British Wireless for the Blind Fund.
I have worked alongside and promoted TNF since its inception 20 years ago.
Throughout my tenure I have seen technology advance, I introduced the first radio cassette, the first preset radio and more recently my team developed the TNF application which was the first application to change between speech and gesture as well as the delivery of TN’s on Alexa.
I hope to continue helping and supporting blind, partially sighted, and print disabled people through TNF to receive access to audio content.