Session Chair
SPEAKERS
POLICY & PUBLIC AFFAIRS
Session: Creating Better Incentives for Physical Activity
John Cushing is the presenter of the Olympic & Paralympic sport podcast, Anything but Footy as well as the spin-off interview series Great British Bosses - featuring leaders in the sport and leisure sector. John has covered some of the biggest sporting events for radio in recent years - London 2012 & Rio de Janeiro 2016, Commonwealth Games, Euro 2016, 2015 Rugby World Cup, Wimbledon, and World Championships in athletics, swimming & cycling. He's now a director of audio production company 'Anything but Footy Limited' having been the deputy Managing Editor of LBC and Head of News Operations at Global's Newsroom.
Michael Weadock co-presents the Olympic & Paralympic sport podcast Anything but Footy and its spin off series Great British Bosses, working with individuals and organisations in both elite and grassroots sport. Michael is the Olympics Correspondent at talkSPORT and has covered major multi-sport events for the network since 2014 including the Olympic Games, Paralympic Games, Commonwealth Games and World and European championships in athletics, swimming and cycling. Michael is a director at audio production company 'Anything but Footy Limited' and combines this role with work as a reporter and commentator on football, athletics, cycling and triathlon for radio and television.
Session Chair
PANELISTS:
Anushka has over 10+ years clinical and corporate experience, devising and implementing tactical, data-driven and technology-enabled strategies to drive profitability and growth, across pharmaceutical, digital health, medical device and health insurance sectors. She has practiced as a physician in the UK and US, and has lived and/or worked in Europe, Middle East, America and the Asia-Pacific markets. In her current role as Deputy Chief Medical Officer at Vitality, Anushka is focused on managing clinical risk, developing and delivering high quality care through innovative phy-digital clinical pathways to drive robust health outcomes. She is responsible for the following departments: Policy and Evidence, Medical Underwriting, Vitality (Cancer) Care and Primary Care. Outside of the day-job, Anushka serves as an Expert Advisor to the United Nations (CEFACT) in Artificial Intelligence and Blockchain and can often be found training for the next regional power-lifting competition or obstacle course endurance race.
David Halpern is the Chief Executive of the Behavioural Insights Team. David has led the team since its inception in 2010. Prior to that, David was the first Research Director of the Institute for Government and between 2001 and 2007 was the Chief Analyst at the Prime Minister’s Strategy Unit. David was also appointed as the What Works National Advisor in July 2013. He supports the What Works Network and leads efforts to improve the use of evidence across government. Before entering government, David held tenure at Cambridge and posts at Oxford and Harvard. He has written several books and papers on areas relating to behavioural insights and well-being, including Social Capital (2005), the Hidden Wealth of Nations (2010), Online Harms and Manipulation (2019) and co-author of the MINDSPACE report. In 2015, David wrote a book about the team entitled Inside the Nudge Unit: How Small Changes Can Make a Big Difference.
Jennifer was Chief Executive of the Nuffield Trust from 2008 to 2013. Prior to this, she was Director of Policy at The King’s Fund and was the policy advisor to the Chief Executive of the NHS between 1998 and 2000. Originally trained in medicine, Jennifer practised mainly as a paediatrician prior to a career in policy analysis. She has a Master’s in public health and a PhD in health services research from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. In 2009, Jennifer was elected a fellow of the Royal College of Physicians. She was awarded a CBE for services to public health in 2013, and a Doctor of Science from Bristol University in 2016. She has held visiting professorships at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, the London School of Economics, and Imperial College Business School.
Will Norman became London’s first Walking and Cycling Commissioner in 2016. He leads the Mayor’s work to make the capital’s streets safer for walking and cycling, enabling thousands more Londoners to choose greener, cleaner and healthier ways of traveling around the city.
Will was previously Director of Global Partnerships at Nike. He lead Nike’s work with not-for-profits, governments, UN agencies and European Institutions to tackle the global inactivity crisis, focusing on how to design physical activity into everyday life.
Will was previously Director of Global Partnerships at Nike. He lead Nike’s work with not-for-profits, governments, UN agencies and European Institutions to tackle the global inactivity crisis, focusing on how to design physical activity into everyday life.
Anthony Wells is Director of YouGov's political and social opinion polling and currently runs their media polling operation for the Sun and Sunday Times. Anthony also runs the UKPollingReport website; an independent blog on opinion polling that was one of the most popular blogs during the 2010 election and is a widely used source for academics and journalists.
Prior to joining YouGov in 2005 he worked in the Leader of the Opposition’s Office for William Hague, Iain Duncan Smith and Michael Howard. He holds a degree in British Politics and Legislative Studies from the University of Hull.
You can find Anthony on Twitter @anthonyjwells.
Prior to joining YouGov in 2005 he worked in the Leader of the Opposition’s Office for William Hague, Iain Duncan Smith and Michael Howard. He holds a degree in British Politics and Legislative Studies from the University of Hull.
You can find Anthony on Twitter @anthonyjwells.
Session: Unleashing the power of business to drive positive community outcomes
Session Chair
PANELISTS:
Tina is a social entrepreneur who brings diverse stakeholders together to address the system changes needed to improve health for all. She is Founder and CEO of Collider Health and works with private sector and public sector, including the National AHSN AI Network, NHSX AI Lab and UK Research & Innovation on the Healthy Ageing Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund. Tina is also the Secretariat Director of the All Party Parliamentary Group for Longevity and Co-Founder and CEO of Business for Health, a business-led coalition supporting long-term sustainable innovation and investment in preventative health and care. Tina is the author of ‘Live Longer with AI: How artificial intelligence is helpingus extend our healthspans and live better too'.
Peter Walker is a political correspondent for the Guardian in London, and a regular commentator and broadcaster on issues including politics, active living and health. He first became fascinated by the impact of everyday exertion when, as an inactive and badly asthmatic early 20-something, he gave up a secure graduate desk job to become a bicycle courier in London and then Sydney. The change of profession, including a brief period wearing a skintight, hot-pink Lycra company jersey, transformed his life and health. His first book, Bike Nation: How Cycling Can Save the World, explained how rebuilding towns and cities for everyday cycling makes them healthier and more equal. As a journalist, he has also worked for Press Association, Agence France-Presse, CNN and others, reporting from places including China, Iraq and North Korea.
Richard Sloggett is the Founder and Programme Director of Future Health. He was previously a Senior Fellow at Westminster’s leading think tank Policy Exchange and from 2018-19 was Special Advisor to the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care. Richard is a regular commentator in the national media on health and social care including in The Times, Telegraph, Financial Times, Economist and on Times Radio and LBC. He has been named as one of the top 100 people in UK healthcare policy by the Health Service Journal.
During his time with the Secretary of State, Richard worked across Whitehall, the NHS and local government on major policy decisions including the NHS Long Term Plan, the creation of NHSX and the Prevention Green Paper. He also supported Ministers on global healthcare issues including preparations for the G7 and action on antimicrobial resistance. He has fifteen years’ experience in public policy and healthcare, starting his career in Parliament before a successful career in public affairs where he led a team of 20 to the prestigious Communique Public Affairs Team of the Year Award.
Richard is undertaking his doctoral thesis in preventative healthcare systems at Liverpool University. He has a Masters Degree with Distinction from the University of Nottingham and a Bachelors Degree from the University of Durham. He is a Non-Executive Director and Trustee of Real Life Options, a provider of learning disability, autism and age related needs services
HEALTH, WELLBEING and HEALTH INTEGRATION
Session: Social Prescribing: Pioneering a model for the world stage
Session Chair
PANELISTS:
James Sanderson is Director of the Personalised Care Group at NHS England and NHS Improvement where he leads on a range of programmes that are supporting people to have greater choice and control over their health and wellbeing. Programmes include: the delivery of the comprehensive model for personalised care; NHS @home; and the National Palliative and End of Life Care Programme. James is also CEO of the National Academy for Social Prescribing (NASP), established by the SofS for Health and Social Care in 2019 to advance social prescribing across the arts, health, sports, leisure, and the natural environment, alongside other aspects of our lives, View the NASP strategy.
James joined NHS England in November 2015 and was formerly the Chief Executive and Accounting Officer for the Independent Living Fund (ILF). The ILF was an arm’s length body of the Department for Work and Pensions and supported disabled people across the whole of the UK to live independent lives through the provision of direct payments enabling the purchase of personal assistance support.
Prior to joining the ILF in 2002, James had a career in the motor industry within a number of sales and marketing roles, in both corporate and retail environments. James is also a performing arts graduate with a background in community theatre. You can follow James on Twitter @JamesCSanderson
Sarah provides direction and leadership to Sport England’s health 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. Most recently Sarah led on the creation and development of the We Are Undefeatable campaign. Sarah joined Sport England in 2016.
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 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.
Nick Atkins is Head of Health and Wellbeing at Enable Leisure and Culture where he has grown a Health and Wellbeing Department from a small physical activity team. Nick has developed a number of programmes that use physical activity to tackle health issues and provides these to local CCG’s. He places significant value on data and demonstrating impact wherever possible, and working in partnership. He has recently developed an enhanced model of social prescribing in Wandsworth which operates across the local authority, primary care networks, and the CCG
Jo Armstrong has worked in the field of health and wellbeing for over 20 years, with experience in both private and public sector. Focused on ‘making things happen’ Jo has experience of getting projects off the ground by finding the right people to talk to. Jo has been delivering elements of social prescribing for a number of years and can offer experience of what has worked well and how to get started.
Session: Reimagining Rehabilitation: Diversification opportunities in the fitness and leisure industry
Session Chair
PANELISTS:
Ruth ten Hove is a physiotherapist and Assistant Director in the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy. She is the professional lead of the CSP community rehabilitation transformation programme, a key CSP priority. Since 2019 CSP have led the Community Rehabilitation Alliance (CRA), now more than fifty patient and professional organisations (including UK Active) committed to improving access to and provision of high quality rehabilitation. CRA has shared principles - that rehab should be person centred, based on the needs of the individual (not dependent on specific condition) and integrated across a model/pathway, promoting stronger connection between health and the wider community including the leisure sector. The Covid pandemic has demonstrated the benefits of rehabilitation, but also highlighted the gaps and problems that exist within the system. Ruth has also led the development of an Advanced Practice credential for Health Education England, focused on a new role which connects community rehabilitation with physical activity approaches for people with Long Term Conditions. Ruth is looking forward to sharing these areas of work today and highlighting the opportunities for collaboration and connection.
Dr Davina Deniszczyc is the Charity and Medical Director for Nuffield Health, responsible for developing activities focused on improving health and wellbeing right across the spectrum from prevention through to cure, providing significant and measurable health and wellbeing benefits to more people. A trained GP, Davina continues to run a clinic once a week.
Colin has for the last four and a half years Colin has been Head of Regulation & Standards at CIMSPA, he has led CIMSPA’s education strategy working with the sectors professional development board to ensure education for professionals in the sport and physical activity sector aligns to employer’s needs. He is currently on a 12 month secondment to support the sector in its recovery from the COVID 19 pandemic by leading the delivery of the ReTrain to ReTrain project. He is committed to making the sport & physical activity sector is one which everyone wants to be part of, in the short term getting people back into work and supporting our employers with their skills shortages to ensure opportunities for participation exceed pre pandemic levels.
DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION
Session: Why embark on a digital transformation journey, what value lies within and what can we learn from other sectors
In conversation with:
Jon Reay is CEO & Founder of strategic consultancy Rewrite Digital, helping clients keep the pace of digital change.
Jon has recently partnered with ukactive to lead the consultation of the sector's digital maturity & effectiveness.
In his consultancy, and in previous roles at top digital agencies, Jon’s developed digital strategies for the likes of Edinburgh Leisure, Optimum Nutrition, Manchester City FC and Team GB. Jon’s also worked on digital programmes for GLL, Life Fitness and Fitness First.
Jon has established a proprietary system for scoring the digital maturity and effectiveness of organisations with a comprehensive measure that adapts as digital does. It enables organisations o benchmark with peers/competitors and re-evaluate their score over time.
Jon has previously conducted extensive research to produce regular reports on the state of digital within specific sectors such as food and drink, travel and insurance.
Jon has recently partnered with ukactive to lead the consultation of the sector's digital maturity & effectiveness.
In his consultancy, and in previous roles at top digital agencies, Jon’s developed digital strategies for the likes of Edinburgh Leisure, Optimum Nutrition, Manchester City FC and Team GB. Jon’s also worked on digital programmes for GLL, Life Fitness and Fitness First.
Jon has established a proprietary system for scoring the digital maturity and effectiveness of organisations with a comprehensive measure that adapts as digital does. It enables organisations o benchmark with peers/competitors and re-evaluate their score over time.
Jon has previously conducted extensive research to produce regular reports on the state of digital within specific sectors such as food and drink, travel and insurance.
“Leon is a digital fitness authority, speaker and Global Head of Product at Myzone. He bends the digital curve, offering a unique blend of skills and a flare for commercial insight. Leon has extensive experience of the global fitness industry; he's a computer programmer and has worked in executive IT roles within the banking sector. His knowledge ranges from infrastructure through to strategy and he is immersed in future technologies on behalf of the fitness industry.”
Keynote session
Alderman Sir David was the 684th Lord Mayor of the City of London, serving from 2011-2012. He has been an Alderman of the City of London representing the Ward of Langbourn since 2005 and served as Sheriff of the City in 2009-2010. Sir David was a lawyer, a partner in Allen & Overy LLP, the international law firm, from 1979 to 2015. He advised on corporate finance transactions and best-practice compliance with law and regulation in corporate governance.
Fiona founded Winners because of her passion for sports, data, and technology and her belief that changes in our economy, a greater choice of where to spend our money and how to spend our time, more emphasis on customer experience, and a growing need for greater engagement, has required sports organisations to transform the way they manage their relationships with their customers and fans. Now a CRM and business intelligence (BI) practitioner, Fiona applies her knowledge of this area to help manage these challenges while also capitalising on the opportunities unique to sports (passion, loyalty, status, diversity, growth, etc.) to help her rights owner clients grow revenue, participation, and engagement.
In 2018 Fiona published a book with Routledge, leading global management and academic book publishers, Winning with Data: CRM and Analytics for the Business of Sports. The book was so well received a second edition has now been published and turned into an elearning course available at www.winnersfdd.com/elearning
email: fiona.green@winnersfdd.com
Twitter: @fionagreen66
Linkedin: uk.linkedin.com/in/fionagreencrm
Session: Considerations when designing your digital transformation
Fiona Green has operated in the sports industry for 35 years including three years in the US during the 1994 FIFA World Cup and three in Switzerland representing FIFA, UEFA, and the IAAF. Her vast experience has predominantly been agency-side representing rightsholders in sponsorship, TV rights and merchandise/licensing.
Fiona founded Winners because of her passion for sports, data, and technology and her belief that changes in our economy, a greater choice of where to spend our money and how to spend our time, more emphasis on customer experience, and a growing need for greater engagement, has required sports organisations to transform the way they manage their relationships with their customers and fans. Now a CRM and business intelligence (BI) practitioner, Fiona applies her knowledge of this area to help manage these challenges while also capitalising on the opportunities unique to sports (passion, loyalty, status, diversity, growth, etc.) to help her rights owner clients grow revenue, participation, and engagement.
In 2018 Fiona published a book with Routledge, leading global management and academic book publishers, Winning with Data: CRM and Analytics for the Business of Sports. The book was so well received a second edition has now been published and turned into an elearning course available at www.winnersfdd.com/elearning
email: fiona.green@winnersfdd.com
Twitter: @fionagreen66
Linkedin: uk.linkedin.com/in/fionagreencrm
Session Chair
PANELISTS:
When it comes to technology and its increasingly pivotal role in the fitness sector, there are few speakers more thought-provoking than AI expert and self-professed geek Ian Mullane.
As the founder and CEO of AI-powered sales and retention platform Keepme, Ian has brought together the diverse expertise of his career to date – including 12 years as an operator – in a ground-breaking business that boosts revenues for gym operators across the globe, harnessing the power of artificial intelligence to drive optimisation and transform the way they interact with customers and prospects.
Diving into a little more detail, having spent 15 years working on fintech solutions for some of the world’s largest hedge funds and investment managers, in 2007 Ian founded Vanda.fit – Singapore’s first boutique boxing club – and alongside this, in 2008, the social media analytics platform Locowise.
It was at Vanda.fit that he identified the need for a system that would optimise the performance of his club; his expertise in tech and AI led him to develop Keepme, which since 2020 has become his full-time focus (some might say mission!)
A respected thought leader, white paper author, regular industry event speaker and member of the ukactive Digital Futures Council, Ian has a singular ability to first understand the challenges faced by our sector, then demystify the ways in which technology can help neutralise them.
As the founder and CEO of AI-powered sales and retention platform Keepme, Ian has brought together the diverse expertise of his career to date – including 12 years as an operator – in a ground-breaking business that boosts revenues for gym operators across the globe, harnessing the power of artificial intelligence to drive optimisation and transform the way they interact with customers and prospects.
Diving into a little more detail, having spent 15 years working on fintech solutions for some of the world’s largest hedge funds and investment managers, in 2007 Ian founded Vanda.fit – Singapore’s first boutique boxing club – and alongside this, in 2008, the social media analytics platform Locowise.
It was at Vanda.fit that he identified the need for a system that would optimise the performance of his club; his expertise in tech and AI led him to develop Keepme, which since 2020 has become his full-time focus (some might say mission!)
A respected thought leader, white paper author, regular industry event speaker and member of the ukactive Digital Futures Council, Ian has a singular ability to first understand the challenges faced by our sector, then demystify the ways in which technology can help neutralise them.
Allison has worked in the sector for over 12 years, and has accumulated expertise in the fields of insight, behaviour change, business appraisal and finance. Allison is currently leading Sport England's work on data, digital and innovation, where their mission is to support others to apply data, innovation & digital in ways that help to improve the experience of getting active. She is particularly passionate about applying these topics to reduce the systemic inequalities and barriers that are stopping people from benefiting from being physically active.
The current work of her team includes ground-breaking sector change initiatives, such as testing the latest data analytic technologies, guiding the strategic direction of OpenActive (which uses open data to help people get active), and testing Sport England's role in growing & supporting innovation through a range of approaches, including an Innovation Open Call, work with the Design Council and our Innovation Learning Partner. Her team is also working in partnership with ukactive to evaluate the sectors digital maturity & effectiveness via their new Digital Futures programme, while exploring critical topics such as digital inclusion & accessibility. Twitter: @alsav25
Adam is Partnerships Manager at Lloyds Banking Group, working across industry and the third sector to improve tech adoption, productivity and digital skills. He works within the Group and with organisations and other impact organisations externally to drive societal impact and initiatives supporting the UK’s communities, individuals and workforce with tech adoption and digital capabilities. Adam also has a focus on helping those with accessibility and vulnerability needs.
UKACTIVE KIDS
Session: Open Doors - Why opening school facilities outside of term time is key to children’s wellbeing
Session Chair
PANELISTS:
At Nike, Laura aligns Nike’s purpose and actions on the ground with their marketing campaigns. With a specific focus on Access to Sport and Inclusion, Nike invests in grassroots partners who provide positive experiences in sport for young people. Laura works closely with Nike Athletes who have a vision to change the world, such as John McAvoy, Ramla Ali and Marcus Rashford.
Jamie leads on the the reintegration programme at Haverstock school. TheCRiB offers a 12 week programme for secondary students in Year 7–9 of any Camden school, who are at risk of permanent exclusion.
Gary Palmer is the Strategic Advisor for Children and Young People for London Sport. He has over 30 years education and community sport experience in the sport and physical activity sector.
He brings a wealth of experience leading on a range of CYP projects for partners such as the Active Partnership National Network, Department of Education, Department of Culture, Media and Sport, Greater London Authority, as well as 10 London Councils.
Gary Is currently leading London Sport’s children and young people work that connects with their new LDN Moving strategy. He is overseeing a range of projects that include ‘Opening Schools Facilities’ to the community outside the of school hours and ‘Levelling the Playing Field’ which provides young people at risk of entering the criminal justice system the positive local activities and mentoring.
He is the current Chair of the Active Partnership Network National Children and Young People Advisory Board. He is also a member of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on a Fit and Healthy Childhood, the national School Sport and Activity Sector Advisory group and the London School Games Local Organising Committee.
James’ 15 years of experience has seen him successfully launch and grow multiple businesses within the sports coaching and active education industry. Currently CEO of Coordinate Sport the industry-leading app that supports organisations to grow in our sector.
CAMPAIGNS
Session: Women and Girls - How can the fitness and leisure sector support the perception and experiences of this audience?
Harriett oversees ukactive’s projects and campaigns and has delivered ukactive’s own National Fitness Day campaign for the last six years and the UK’s involvement in the European Week of Sport between 2017-2020. She has also managed the sectors involvement in Public Health England led campaigns – Change4Life, One You and Every Mind Matters. Harriett brings a wealth of campaign and project expertise including previous experience with Comic Relief using sport and activity as a tool for social change and working with the likes of GlaxoSmithKline and BP Ltd on their employee physical activity programmes.
Session Chair
PANELISTS:
Since starting in the industry in 1996 as a group exercise instructor, PT, NVQ Trainer & since 2010 Head of Fitness, Sarah has seen a lot of changes! She enjoys being part of a dynamic & forward thinking senior team within Places Leisure focusing on health, wellness, fitness, inclusivity & accessibility. Sarah truly believes that community based leisure is the perfect setting to improve the health of the nation.
Claire has led on the partnership between ukactive and Sport England’s award-winning This Girl Can campaign since joining the organisation in early 2020. She also oversees a number of the campaigns’ national partnerships and activations which focus on creating or improving on-the-ground opportunities for women to be active within their communities. Claire is passionate about ensuring women are given equal opportunities to be active in ways that work for them, and helping partners embed the ethos of the This Girl Can campaign into their own marketing activities and physical activity offerings.
Kate joined Women in Sport in August 2017, as Head of Insight and Innovation, bringing over 25 years of experience in research, behaviour change and strategy development to the charity. During that time Kate has headed up a number of influential studies exploring how to prevent teenage girls from dropping out of sport, the impact of menopause on women’s participation and gender inclusion in the sports workplace. Prior to her role at Women in Sport, Kate held senior roles at Twinings, Kimberly-Clark and Unilever, leading insight and strategy for international markets.
Jodie has been responsible for delivering advertising and marketing campaigns for PureGym for over six years and manages their in-house creative studio from their Central Support Office in Leeds. With a focus on inspiring more people to take the first step on their fitness journey, Jodie developed the Member Strategy at PureGym, where a diverse mix of real members with real stories are featured across all communications. Jodie is passionate about empowering females to make healthier lifestyle choices and plays a key role in the development of female initiatives at PureGym, as well as being involved in This Girl Can’s Steering Group.
INCLUSION & DIVERSITY
Session: Digital Innovation, Inclusion and Accessibility: Solutions to engaging new audiences and improving customer service.
Tim joined ukactive in March 2020. As the Lead for Inclusion, his remit includes developing the physical activity sector towards greater inclusivity. ukactive supports the sector through standards, programmes, campaigns and interventions to deliver it’s mission of ‘more people. more active, more often’. Tim is passionate about the role of Diversity and Inclusion as a key business and organisational ‘function’, ensuring that people of all backgrounds, ages and abilities can continue to access the sector’s services and reap the benefits of a healthy, active lifestyle
Tim was previously working at Premiership Rugby. During his time at the executive body running professional rugby union in England he developed and delivered an Inclusion Strategy involving campaigns, programming and policy for each of the 9 protected characteristics. His notable work included a ‘Commitment to Accessibility’ which was shortlisted for a BT Sport Industry Award in 2018, and the ”Project Rugby’ programme which was shortlisted for a British Ethnic Diversity Sports Award and was a two-time award winner at the Sport Business Awards.
Session Chair
PANELISTS:
Ali is a World Record breaking, 8 time British Champion, British Powerlifter. Ali started his sport career in Judoka before transferring into powerlifting. In 2007, Ali won the Junior European Championships and became the record holder in his class. However, in 2009 he was diagnosed with Crohn’s, an incurable inflammatory bowel disease, which forced him to retire from international sport.
Ali refused to let the illness get the better of him and, in 2010, underwent lifesaving surgery. Just 4 months later, Ali competed in the Commonwealth Games finishing a respectable 5th.
Having faced adversity throughout his career, Ali is an incredible role model as well as athlete. As such, he has set some high standards and even higher goals to achieve. Only 2 years after being told to retire from sport, Ali went on to represent Britain at the London 2012 Games where he finished just off the podium in 4th.
For Ali, this wasn’t enough and his dedication to training was renewed. Just one year later, Ali won the World Championships and was ranked number 1 in the world! Ali went on from this to win a bronze medal at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, setting 2 World Records in the process.
Ali has been decorated throughout his career with awards such as Disabled Sportsperson of the Year (Leeds), IPC Athlete of the Month, British Wheel Power Junior of the Year, and UK Sport inspirational performance of the year (2015) to name a few.
Ali is a truly inspirational sports performer and genuine person, showing his key values of dedication, commitment, respect, motivation, hard work and encouragement of others every day, He is passionate about clean sport and competes at the highest level in the world with a strict zero tolerance on doping and illegal substances.
Ali won a silver medal at the Rio 2016 Paralympics, completing the career grand slam of medals. After health complications, his place at the Tokyo 2020 Games was in doubt. Battling against the odds, Ali qualified and competed in Japan.
Ali is now focusing on developing his new fitness app Accessercise, and setting his sights on some exciting new challenges and records in the powerlifting world.
Gavin Neate is the founder of WelcoMe, an inclusive tech startup aiming to make society more equal by providing solutions to address the problems faced by people with disabilities on a daily basis.
Gavin is a former guide dog mobility instructor turned award-winning, socially aware entrepreneur. He founded Neatebox in 2011, which provides the innovations WelcoMe and Button. WelcoMe is an award winning service which aims to transform the interactions between disabled customers and service teams aiming to end ‘arrival anxiety’. Button is smartphone technology to activate pedestrian crossings handsfree.
Gavin is a former guide dog mobility instructor turned award-winning, socially aware entrepreneur. He founded Neatebox in 2011, which provides the innovations WelcoMe and Button. WelcoMe is an award winning service which aims to transform the interactions between disabled customers and service teams aiming to end ‘arrival anxiety’. Button is smartphone technology to activate pedestrian crossings handsfree.
Following a recommendation in ukactive’s Everyone Can report, WelcoMe was selected by Sport England and National Lottery Fund. Over 75 different leisure providers enjoy the enhanced accessibility of the platform in a pilot phase.
Awards for WelcoMe include World Summit Awards 2020 Empowerment and Inclusion global winner, National Diversity Awards 2020 Entrepreneur of Excellence Award, and Tech Nation Rising Stars. WelcoMe has won the illustrious WeWork UK and Google for Startups UK programmes. In the UK, the company counts Sodexo, Diageo, Deloitte, Atos, Edinburgh Airport and NorthLink Ferries among its clients.
Gavin is a passionate advocate of 'tech for good' and is a renowned champion of accessibility for all. With his wealth of experience in driving forward inclusion, diversity and tackling inequality we can expect to be inspired by his stories, expertise and insights, as we are driven to join the mission of 'building back better.
Mark Fosbrook is a Paralympian and former wheelchair basketball international, now on secondment from his role as engagement advisor with the Activity Alliance charity. His current role is heading up West Midlands Combined Authority’s (WMCA) ‘Include Me’ campaign, through which organisations that sign up show their commitment to breaking down the barriers disabled people face to being more active by listening to and understanding their needs
As well as placing disabled people at the heart of the process, the campaign aims to influence other factors such as transport, housing and infrastructure to create more inclusivity and equality of opportunity.
His sporting career spanned two decades, winning silver and gold European Championship medals in basketball, representing Great Britain in volleyball at the Atlanta 1996 Paralympics, and in wheelchair rugby at the World Championships. He also competed at a national level in swimming and rowing.
In 2019, Mark was awarded an honorary doctorate in Philosophy in recognition of his outstanding sporting achievements and promotion of active lives for disabled people and was described as “a tireless ambassador for sport”.
As well as placing disabled people at the heart of the process, the campaign aims to influence other factors such as transport, housing and infrastructure to create more inclusivity and equality of opportunity.
His sporting career spanned two decades, winning silver and gold European Championship medals in basketball, representing Great Britain in volleyball at the Atlanta 1996 Paralympics, and in wheelchair rugby at the World Championships. He also competed at a national level in swimming and rowing.
In 2019, Mark was awarded an honorary doctorate in Philosophy in recognition of his outstanding sporting achievements and promotion of active lives for disabled people and was described as “a tireless ambassador for sport”.
Session: Diversity & Inclusion: A business function, or a 'nice to have'?
Tim joined ukactive in March 2020. As the Lead for Inclusion, his remit includes developing the physical activity sector towards greater inclusivity. ukactive supports the sector through standards, programmes, campaigns and interventions to deliver it’s mission of ‘more people. more active, more often’. Tim is passionate about the role of Diversity and Inclusion as a key business and organisational ‘function’, ensuring that people of all backgrounds, ages and abilities can continue to access the sector’s services and reap the benefits of a healthy, active lifestyle
Tim was previously working at Premiership Rugby. During his time at the executive body running professional rugby union in England he developed and delivered an Inclusion Strategy involving campaigns, programming and policy for each of the 9 protected characteristics. His notable work included a ‘Commitment to Accessibility’ which was shortlisted for a BT Sport Industry Award in 2018, and the ”Project Rugby’ programme which was shortlisted for a British Ethnic Diversity Sports Award and was a two-time award winner at the Sport Business Awards.
Session Chair
PANELISTS:
Wayne Morris is the Community and Corporate Social Responsibility Director for Premiership Rugby, the umbrella organisation representing the strategic interests of the Premiership Rugby Clubs. His role is to orchestrate the strategy and delivery of Premiership Rugby’s community & CSR work, including creating and delivering Premiership Rugby’s domestic and international community programmes, the leagues sustainability work and chairing its E,D&I group. Ensuring the club network shares knowledge and best practice, whilst developing new partnerships with the corporate sector, 3rd sector, government and NGO stakeholders.
Wayne is a member of the RFU Rugby Growth Committee, the Professional Game Board Rugby Development Committee, Sport For Development Coalition Board and the Made by Sport Board.
Wayne previously played professional rugby in both Wales and England and was capped by his country at u19, u21 and A team level.
Tom is Vice Chair of the City of London Corporation’s Policy and Resources Committee, the strategic decision-making body that sets the policy direction for the Corporation.
He Chairs the City’s Investment Committee, which oversees a £6bn portfolio, including an investment property portfolio which has consistently performed at the top of industry benchmarks. This generates the majority of the income that funds the City’s charitable and other activities that support London and the UK. He is also Deputy Chair of the Barbican Centre, Europe’s largest mixed arts centre, bringing well over 1m visitors each year.
Tom works at Amazon UK and has previously been a FinTech start-up entrepreneur. His career includes roles at both Lloyds Banking Group, and the BBC, providing strategic advice to Executive Board members.
He Chairs the City’s Investment Committee, which oversees a £6bn portfolio, including an investment property portfolio which has consistently performed at the top of industry benchmarks. This generates the majority of the income that funds the City’s charitable and other activities that support London and the UK. He is also Deputy Chair of the Barbican Centre, Europe’s largest mixed arts centre, bringing well over 1m visitors each year.
Tom works at Amazon UK and has previously been a FinTech start-up entrepreneur. His career includes roles at both Lloyds Banking Group, and the BBC, providing strategic advice to Executive Board members.
WORKSHOP
Session: Sport England & ukactive Partnership: Exploring partnership progress and successes. Asking the audience how we can improve the partnership and work better and smarted to the benefit of the sector
FACILITATORS:
She has supported the £100m National Leisure Recovery Fund to support Local Authorities and their service delivery partners in meeting the additional costs of public sector leisure provision being incurred as a result of the Covid 19 pandemic. She has been involved in the development of the monitoring and evaluation approach across Sport England’s capital investments and the Fund including the inception and development of Moving Communities.
Having joined Sport England in 2006, Emma was a member of the steering groups for the development of the white water centre, velopark and handball arena at the London 2012 Olympics. She also oversaw £100m of lottery investment into community club facilities from 2006-2009 working with National Governing Bodies of sport and DCMS.
She leads the partnership with UK Active on behalf of Sport England, works on the Strategic Facilities Fund, providing capital investment from the National Lottery into major sports and leisure facilities and has been part of the team that developed the Strategic Outcome Planning and Leisure Services Delivery Guidance.
Emma’s background is in banking, having spent several years working for Barclays. She launched several new banking projects for the international arm of the bank working in China and Spain.
Having joined Sport England in 2006, Emma was a member of the steering groups for the development of the white water centre, velopark and handball arena at the London 2012 Olympics. She also oversaw £100m of lottery investment into community club facilities from 2006-2009 working with National Governing Bodies of sport and DCMS.
She leads the partnership with UK Active on behalf of Sport England, works on the Strategic Facilities Fund, providing capital investment from the National Lottery into major sports and leisure facilities and has been part of the team that developed the Strategic Outcome Planning and Leisure Services Delivery Guidance.
Emma’s background is in banking, having spent several years working for Barclays. She launched several new banking projects for the international arm of the bank working in China and Spain.
Before embarking on her role at ukactive Marianne was Head of Sport Strategy at the University of Greenwich responsible for developing and implementing the strategic vision for sport and physical activity. However, the majority of Mariannes career saw her spend over 10 years working in various positions within local government. These roles included Major Projects and Service Manager, Public Health Strategist for Physical Activity and Sport & Health Development manager.
KEYNOTES
Incentivising better health: The role of the physical activity sector
SPEAKER:
Sir Keith Mills GBE DL is a British business entrepreneur who founded the Air Miles and Nectar customer loyalty programmes and has established numerous businesses, both in the UK and internationally.
In September 2003, Sir Keith was appointed International President and CEO of London 2012 established to bid for the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Having won the bid, he established LOCOG to organise the Games, where he was Deputy Chairman alongside Lord Sebastian Coe.
Sir Keith has received numerous awards including: Master Entrepreneur of the Year, Chief Executive of the Year, and the Sports Industry Businessman of the Year, and was knighted by The Queen in 2006 and again in 2013 when he received the Grand Knight Cross for his services to sport.
Earlier this year, Sir Keith was appointed to advise on a new government plan, which aims to use incentives and rewards to help people make healthier lifestyle choices and support the national recovery from COVID-19.
Health in the business community: Opportunities for the sector
SPEAKER:
Sarah Howard was elected as Chair of the British Chamber of Commerce in October 2019, following extensive experience in management consultancy and success in leading boards through change and growth over the course of her career. She is only the second woman to take on the prestigious role, and has leveraged her influence on the national stage to encourage businesses to better serve and support local communities.
Since September 2009, Sarah has also been Chair of Abbeycroft Leisure, a Suffolk-based charitable leisure trust generating £6 million in social value every year. She has since become a firm advocate of the physical activity sector’s potential to support the health and wellbeing of the nation by collaborating more closely with local public health teams, the NHS, and the wider business community.
Showcase: Initial findings of the ‘Sector Digital Review: Meeting the needs of the consumer
SPEAKERS:
Jon Reay is CEO & Founder of strategic consultancy Rewrite Digital, helping clients keep the pace of digital change.
Jon has recently partnered with ukactive to lead the consultation of the sector's digital maturity & effectiveness.
In his consultancy, and in previous roles at top digital agencies, Jon’s developed digital strategies for the likes of Edinburgh Leisure, Optimum Nutrition, Manchester City FC and Team GB. Jon’s also worked on digital programmes for GLL, Life Fitness and Fitness First.
Jon has established a proprietary system for scoring the digital maturity and effectiveness of organisations with a comprehensive measure that adapts as digital does. It enables organisations to benchmark with peers/competitors and re-evaluate their score over time.
Jon has previously conducted extensive research to produce regular reports on the state of digital within specific sectors such as food and drink, travel and insurance.
Jon has recently partnered with ukactive to lead the consultation of the sector's digital maturity & effectiveness.
In his consultancy, and in previous roles at top digital agencies, Jon’s developed digital strategies for the likes of Edinburgh Leisure, Optimum Nutrition, Manchester City FC and Team GB. Jon’s also worked on digital programmes for GLL, Life Fitness and Fitness First.
Jon has established a proprietary system for scoring the digital maturity and effectiveness of organisations with a comprehensive measure that adapts as digital does. It enables organisations to benchmark with peers/competitors and re-evaluate their score over time.
Jon has previously conducted extensive research to produce regular reports on the state of digital within specific sectors such as food and drink, travel and insurance.