As the CEO of a Community Interest Company providing public sector leisure services, I would be extremely proud to become a representative on the Public Operator Council helping to bring about industry wide change in our sector. I believe in its diversity and the value it brings to population health because I understand that taking part in exercise and movement provides many untold physical and mental benefits. I am passionate about making physical activity and movement as normal as brushing your teeth, and I like to imagine a future where everyone values their own health, putting movement above everything else so they can enjoy the benefits.
With a wealth of experience as a leader in the industry I have worked in the private, charity and public sector for over 30 years, including 18 years’ experience in a director/CEO role. I feel I have the values, skills and experience to help achieve the public operator councils’ goals having worked in partnership with our local council officials for almost 20 years as well as being vice chair on the GM Active Board of Directors.
As a values led leader, I model our organisations behaviours and values in everything I do. The organisation I lead has an ambitious strategy and outcomes aimed to help benefit our community and improve health outcomes for all. As an innovative, agile, strategic thinker I thrive in a volitive, uncertain, complex or ambiguous (VUCA) environment and will always look to achieve and deliver on outcomes and I am comfortable to take calculated risks and to be at the forefront of technology advancements if it brings real change to the communities we serve. Trailblazing, isn’t new to me and over the past 5 years my organisation has tried and tested various new technologies. In 2019 we were the first public sector operated leisure facility in England to introduce microfiltration into our pools which is now becoming an industry standard, and we are currently working on other exciting sustainability initiatives as we strive towards net zero.
I have steered our organisation to have a strong focus on EEDI, governance and sustainability, to me it just makes business sense as you approach business decisions in a very different way when focusing on these key elements.
Physical activity isn’t just part of my day job, it’s part of my life. Outside of work I have a keen interest in football, and I am a volunteer coach for an under 11’s team and I help bring the joy of movement to the next generation.
