Ben Dunne
"Building an alternate future through grief."
Ben is the Secondary School Lead at Islington Borough Council, responsible for developing partnership working across the Borough’s 11-19 education sector. An ex-secondary headteacher, Ben works with local authorities to support leaders to bring about transformational change through stronger partnership working within a system-led, school-to-school model.
Ben is also founder and CEO of the River Reeves Foundation (RRF), a charity set up by Ben and his wife Sharon, when Ben lost his son and Sharon’s step-son, River Reeves. River was tragically killed in an accident in Sweden in 2016 along with his Viola Beach bandmates and manager.
The Foundation provides bursaries to disadvantaged young people who need support to develop their artistic talents and achieve big goals within the performing and visual arts. The annual RivFest Weekender music festival and the charity’s Vintage Viola pre-loved store both raise vital funds for the Foundation. Ben also set up Warrington Youth Rowing (WYR) in 2016, to open up the sport of rowing to disadvantaged pupils across the region.
