Irene Bisset
Chair, National Pride Uk Ltd
Irene co-founded National Pride UK and wants to ‘make a difference’ After a career in the Insurance industry and working in many roles for many years understanding the business perspective from the Client’s point of view, she has an invaluable quality in providing a bespoke and exemplary service to satisfy all parties to any project. Irene was the Insurance Consultant on the prestigious Forth Replacement Crossing in Scotland having worked for a bidding consortium through the tender process and then for the Client for the first four years of the construction project. Irene can provide technical input in terms of risk identification, mitigation and control in heavy engineering, infrastructure and projects across all sectors. As an approachable character, a good listener as well as being something of a diplomat, Irene was unanimously appointed Chairwoman of National Pride UK by her fellow co-founders and Directors.
Arun Kang
CEO
Sporting Equals UK
Arun Kang is Chief Executive of Sporting Equals, a national partner of Sport England. Sporting Equals works across the UK with a network of over 5000 sports clubs and community organisations and 150 ethnic media outlets. Arun is widely recognised as a leading authority on equality, diversity and inclusion in sport and secured his status having graduated with a Masters in Promoting Equality and Managing Diversit ...
Arun Kang is Chief Executive of Sporting Equals, a national partner of Sport England. Sporting Equals works across the UK with a network of over 5000 sports clubs and community organisations and 150 ethnic media outlets. Arun is widely recognised as a leading authority on equality, diversity and inclusion in sport and secured his status having graduated with a Masters in Promoting Equality and Managing Diversity. Arun has pioneered the `Inclusive Club` model which makes the business case for inclusion for professional sports clubs. He is the founder of the British Ethnic Diversity Sports Awards (BEDSAs) and lead member for sport for the World Entrepreneurship Forum. Arun is a key Adviser to Public Health England, DH, DCMS and is a visiting lecturer for the University of Birmingham, a fellow of the Royal Society of Arts and a Mentor for the European Social Innovation Academy. He began his career in the media, working as a producer for the BBC. Sporting Equals key clients include Equality and Human Rights Commission, Liverpool FC, Glasgow Life, the Lord’s Taverner’s, Age UK, and the Tennis Foundation.
Tim Hollingsworth
Chief Executive
Sport England
Yvonne Harrison
Managing Director
Project `92
Yvonne was appointed as Managing Director of Project 92 in March 2018, after leading Greater Manchester Charity, GreaterSport, as their Chief Executive for four years. Having spent over fifteen years within the sport and physical activity landscape, Yvonne has a wealth of experience across the sector incorporating strategic development, relationship management, finance, business planning and communications. Yv ...
Yvonne was appointed as Managing Director of Project 92 in March 2018, after leading Greater Manchester Charity, GreaterSport, as their Chief Executive for four years. Having spent over fifteen years within the sport and physical activity landscape, Yvonne has a wealth of experience across the sector incorporating strategic development, relationship management, finance, business planning and communications. Yvonne has been a key driver to galvanize the Greater Manchester network to produce Greater Manchester Moving, the blueprint for physical activity and sport across the City Region, as Greater Manchester trailblazes with radical reform of the health and social care system through devolution and begins to implement Sport England’s local delivery pilot. Yvonne led GreaterSport to multiple awards, before leaving to embark on a new challenge, working with the ‘Class of 92’ across their sport and education portfolio, which includes the brand new University venture UA92 in Trafford. Yvonne joined the Board of Why Sports Media Group in 2017 following a positive working relationship with the Founders and recognising the contribution she could make through her experience and network. Yvonne is enjoying helping the social enterprise realise its objectives and ensuring customers of Why Sports experience great content, networking and cutting edge thinking through the series of conferences and panel debates delivered.
Jan Inge Ebbesvik
President for the Road Worlds for Seniors
Motitech
Jan Inge Ebbesvik is the president for the Road Worlds for Seniors at Motitech. The championship was firstly held in 2017, and it was an overwhelming success. We aim for the Road Worlds for Seniors to become the world’s largest sporting event, measured in number of participants.
Jan Inge Ebbesvik is the president for the Road Worlds for Seniors at Motitech. The championship was firstly held in 2017, and it was an overwhelming success. We aim for the Road Worlds for Seniors to become the world’s largest sporting event, measured in number of participants.
Michael Follett
Director
Opal Outdoor Play & learning CIC
Michael spent six years as Play Advisor in the Learning and School Effectiveness Team at South Gloucestershire Council covered all areas of play planning and policy delivery especially the development of improved play policy and practice in primary schools and the design of early years play landscapes. His experience includes work as a playworker, teacher, special needs worker, policy officer, school improvement advisor a ...
Michael spent six years as Play Advisor in the Learning and School Effectiveness Team at South Gloucestershire Council covered all areas of play planning and policy delivery especially the development of improved play policy and practice in primary schools and the design of early years play landscapes. His experience includes work as a playworker, teacher, special needs worker, policy officer, school improvement advisor and social entrepreneur. His past achievements include initiating the original Play Rangers and Play Pods projects which have been taken up nationally and internationally. In 2014 Michael was awarded the Paul Bonel Memorial Prize for 'Significant contribution to play and playwork' at the UK National Playwork Awards.
Since 2011 Michael has been the Director of Outdoor Play and Learning (OPAL). A not-for-profit company set up to improve children's play opportunities especially in schools and early years settings. Michael takes an active part in the development of national and international policy and practice and regularly speaks internationally on play in schools. He was on the board of Play England for six years. He currently plays advisor to Unilever Outdoor Classroom and Play Friendly Schools and has advised The National Trust, Football Association (FA), National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE), Ministry of Justice, DCSF, (UK Gov) and The Lottery.
In 2017 education publisher of the year, Jessica Kingsley Publications published Michael's book, "Creating Excellence in Primary School Playtimes".
Mark Williams
Director
Active Sit Stand Ltd
20 plus years as in health & safety across the public and private sector.
Champion of dynamic active seating and 3D ergonomics.
20 plus years as in health & safety across the public and private sector.
Champion of dynamic active seating and 3D ergonomics.
Tim Crabbe
CEO
Substance
Tim is Chief Executive and one of the founders of Substance and was formerly Professor of the Sociology of Sport and Popular Culture at Sheffield Hallam University. He has over twenty-five years' experience of leading multi-disciplinary research teams investigating the impact of sport-based social policy initiatives. As well as representing the company more widely Tim currently leads Substance's work with UEFA to ...
Tim is Chief Executive and one of the founders of Substance and was formerly Professor of the Sociology of Sport and Popular Culture at Sheffield Hallam University. He has over twenty-five years' experience of leading multi-disciplinary research teams investigating the impact of sport-based social policy initiatives. As well as representing the company more widely Tim currently leads Substance's work with UEFA to assess the social and economic value of grassroots football participation across Europe and the evaluation of GM Moving, a whole systems approach to tackling inactivity in Greater Manchester. He previously led research and evaluation projects focused on the use of sport and physical activity as a social policy tool for the Home Office; chaired the consortium leading the DfE Information and Signposting Project to promote youth activities; led the research and development of Sportworks for Sported; and is a board member of the Inspiring Impact Programme. With a succession of publications to his name, Tim is widely regarded as one of the leading authorities in relation to the research, development and analysis of sport and activity-based policy initiatives.
Tom Willock
Managing Director
Fresh-Air Fitness
Tom has spent much of his life involved in sport and physical activity, both as a participant and a coach. Using these experiences along with those gained as trustee for a large open space, he promotes the use of outdoor gym solutions as a means of encouraging increased levels of physical activity across the whole community; all ages and abilities.
Tom has spent much of his life involved in sport and physical activity, both as a participant and a coach. Using these experiences along with those gained as trustee for a large open space, he promotes the use of outdoor gym solutions as a means of encouraging increased levels of physical activity across the whole community; all ages and abilities.
Lisa O`Keefe
Director of Insight
Sport England
Former Scottish rugby international Lisa O’Keefe joined Sport England’s South East office in 2000 having started her career in the Financial Sector. During her time at Sport England, she held a variety of roles including Head of Sports Development, Head of Delivery, and Interim Regional Director before moving to Sport England’s national office in 2007 as Head of National Sport. In July 2008 she was ...
Former Scottish rugby international Lisa O’Keefe joined Sport England’s South East office in 2000 having started her career in the Financial Sector. During her time at Sport England, she held a variety of roles including Head of Sports Development, Head of Delivery, and Interim Regional Director before moving to Sport England’s national office in 2007 as Head of National Sport. In July 2008 she was appointed Director of Sport responsible for the design and implementation of the National Governing Body of Sport investment.
Following the creation of a new Directorate, Lisa was appointed Director of Insight in 2013.
During her playing career, Lisa won 45 Scotland international rugby caps between 1994 and 2006 and competed in two World Cups, one European championship and numerous Six Nations, and enjoyed great success domestically, winning league and cup titles with Richmond Rugby Club for whom she was Club Captain.
Jenny Betteridge
Strategic Lead Volunteering
Sport England
Jenny leads Sport England’s volunteering team and is responsible for delivering their Volunteering Strategy. The strategy’s ambition is to increase the ‘dual benefit’; where those giving their time benefit, as well as, the people they support into activity, whether this is developing new skills, meeting new friends and improving wellbeing. Sport England is a partner of the #iwill campaign for youth ...
Jenny leads Sport England’s volunteering team and is responsible for delivering their Volunteering Strategy. The strategy’s ambition is to increase the ‘dual benefit’; where those giving their time benefit, as well as, the people they support into activity, whether this is developing new skills, meeting new friends and improving wellbeing. Sport England is a partner of the #iwill campaign for youth social action, and with the #iwill Fund, has invested £3m into developing youth social action within sport.
Prior to joining Sport England, Jenny worked in community and national politics for 13 years, supporting residents and volunteers to create change in their communities, campaign in national elections and stand as candidates at all levels.
Irene Bisset
Chair
National Pride Uk Ltd
Irene co-founded National Pride UK and wants to ‘make a difference’ After a career in the Insurance industry and working in many roles for many years understanding the business perspective from the Client’s point of view, she has an invaluable quality in providing a bespoke and exemplary service to satisfy all parties to any project. Irene was the Insurance Consultant on the prestigious Forth Replacement ...
Irene co-founded National Pride UK and wants to ‘make a difference’ After a career in the Insurance industry and working in many roles for many years understanding the business perspective from the Client’s point of view, she has an invaluable quality in providing a bespoke and exemplary service to satisfy all parties to any project. Irene was the Insurance Consultant on the prestigious Forth Replacement Crossing in Scotland having worked for a bidding consortium through the tender process and then for the Client for the first four years of the construction project. Irene can provide technical input in terms of risk identification, mitigation and control in heavy engineering, infrastructure and projects across all sectors. As an approachable character, a good listener as well as being something of a diplomat, Irene was unanimously appointed Chairwoman of National Pride UK by her fellow co-founders and Directors.
Neil Manthorpe, BA (hons) DipLA CMLI MAUD
Associate Director Landscape and Urban Design
Atkins Global
Neil leads the Atkins London Landscape and Urban Design Studio. The award-winning design team create places that transform people’s lives. The teamwork across London and select international cities delivering creative, holistic and innovative solutions for our clients. His areas of expertise include green infrastructure, public realm, cycling and smart cities. Neil has worked throughout the Middle East and has ...
Neil leads the Atkins London Landscape and Urban Design Studio. The award-winning design team create places that transform people’s lives. The teamwork across London and select international cities delivering creative, holistic and innovative solutions for our clients. His areas of expertise include green infrastructure, public realm, cycling and smart cities. Neil has worked throughout the Middle East and has also worked in Sydney, Beijing and Colombia. He has used this experience to produce several design guidance documents and sits on the Wandsworth Design Review Panel. Neil has won several awards for his project work and recently led the team to win the City of London’s Smarter City ideas competition.
Gillian Reeves
Head of Instructor Development
EMD UK
Gillian’s mission is for every group fitness class to be an experience where participants have fun, connect with others and learn something to take out of the studio and into daily life.
She has worked in the fitness industry for 18 years, starting as a volunteer at her local YMCA gym and more recently holding the responsibility of Head of Group Exercise at Virgin Active UK, a position she held for 7 years. Notab ...
Gillian’s mission is for every group fitness class to be an experience where participants have fun, connect with others and learn something to take out of the studio and into daily life.
She has worked in the fitness industry for 18 years, starting as a volunteer at her local YMCA gym and more recently holding the responsibility of Head of Group Exercise at Virgin Active UK, a position she held for 7 years. Notable achievements include growing participation to classes at VA by 37%, a Guinness World Record in 2012 for the most amount of people static cycling at the same time and most importantly, lots of smiles from participants attending classes.
A graduate of dance and theatre performance school, Bird College, Gillian presents at events such as Move It, Fitness Fiesta and YogaFit retreats and currently delivers Yoga, Pilates and fitness classes in London.
She is currently Head of Instructor development at EMD UK
Sarah Ruane
Strategic Lead - Health
Sport England
Sarah provides direction and leadership to Sport England’s reducing inactivity agenda. She works with partners such as Public Health England and health charities to support and influence physical activity and health policy, with a focus on reducing inequalities. Her role involves identifying and developing strong and sustainable national partnerships, so they have the desired impact and includes the development of t ...
Sarah provides direction and leadership to Sport England’s reducing inactivity agenda. She works with partners such as Public Health England and health charities to support and influence physical activity and health policy, with a focus on reducing inequalities. Her role involves identifying and developing strong and sustainable national partnerships, so they have the desired impact and includes the development of the campaign, We Are Undefeatable.
Sarah began her career in local government and has held various roles in public health and leisure services. Her last role was Head of Preventative Health and Leisure, which included developing and leading a new strategy, team and services, delivering a £30m transformation and capital investment programme, and developing leisure and community assets which improve residents’ lives and health and are financially sustainable.
Sarah was also recently selected alongside 18 senior health leaders from across the UK to join GenerationQ, a leadership programme designed to develop skills and knowledge to successfully lead and deliver improvements across services and organisations, for the benefit of the public’s health.
Philipp Grubler
Business Development Manager
Portakabin Limited
Phil is a Business Development Manager at Portakabin covering new and emerging sectors, with a strong focus on the sports sector. He is keen to improve the landscape in the industry by providing solutions to optimise the available space and meet the growing demand for quality facilities. From his previous role specialising in the education sector, he knows how much modular methods of construction can support the demand by ...
Phil is a Business Development Manager at Portakabin covering new and emerging sectors, with a strong focus on the sports sector. He is keen to improve the landscape in the industry by providing solutions to optimise the available space and meet the growing demand for quality facilities. From his previous role specialising in the education sector, he knows how much modular methods of construction can support the demand by delivering facilities in a fraction of the time of site-based construction.
Guy Wendon
Commercial Director
Groop
Commercial Director for Groop.com. Our mission is to strengthen, secure and connect groups for a greater society:
- over 18 years’ experience leading sales, success and marketing teams in the Technology Start-Up, SaaS and Finance industries.
- experienced NED of early-stage (seed) SAAS start-ups
- experience of large scale implementation of sales and success strategies
- successfully raised significant c ...
Commercial Director for Groop.com. Our mission is to strengthen, secure and connect groups for a greater society:
- over 18 years’ experience leading sales, success and marketing teams in the Technology Start-Up, SaaS and Finance industries.
- experienced NED of early-stage (seed) SAAS start-ups
- experience of large scale implementation of sales and success strategies
- successfully raised significant capital in 3 seed rounds and Series A rounds.
Joe Williams
Co-Founder Schools Running Movement by UK Run Events UKRunChat
Schools Running Movement
Joe Williams is a keen runner and mountain biker and knows all too well the sense of achievement that comes with physical activity. In addition to co-founding Schools Running Movement, Joe is Founder of UKSportsChat, which facilitates chat and social interaction about all things running, cycling, triathlon, swim and mountain bike.
Joe Williams is a keen runner and mountain biker and knows all too well the sense of achievement that comes with physical activity. In addition to co-founding Schools Running Movement, Joe is Founder of UKSportsChat, which facilitates chat and social interaction about all things running, cycling, triathlon, swim and mountain bike.
Andy Whitlock
Technical Director
National Pride
Andy has more than 35-year experience in the Construction insurance industry, advising the professional team of large to extremely large projects across the globe. Andy’s particular strength is working with the Legal Advisors in the team to craft contract clauses from a position of full knowledge of the Client, the project and the full contract, to protect each position including the Lender and their investment thro ...
Andy has more than 35-year experience in the Construction insurance industry, advising the professional team of large to extremely large projects across the globe. Andy’s particular strength is working with the Legal Advisors in the team to craft contract clauses from a position of full knowledge of the Client, the project and the full contract, to protect each position including the Lender and their investment through to final exit. Andy has a sound and extensive knowledge of financial matters and the requirements of an Investor and is skilled at deconstructing complex issues and presenting them in a format familiar to Investors to achieve funding solutions in an efficient and speedy manner. After a long and busy career in the corporate world, Andy’s passion is to use the knowledge and skills he has acquired over a lifetime to ‘make a difference’.
Mr Jason Michalski
Consultant
Upshot
Jason is an M&E consultant working to share the Football Foundation’s Upshot system with non-profit organisations. After gaining a degree in Economics, Politics and IR, he spent several years with BUCS, delivering sports competitions in the higher education sector. Since joining Upshot, he has supported a range of organisations in their project management and reporting, including local authorities, NGBs and Acti ...
Jason is an M&E consultant working to share the Football Foundation’s Upshot system with non-profit organisations. After gaining a degree in Economics, Politics and IR, he spent several years with BUCS, delivering sports competitions in the higher education sector. Since joining Upshot, he has supported a range of organisations in their project management and reporting, including local authorities, NGBs and Active Partnerships, youth charities and Wildlife Trusts.
