Profiles

County Sports Partnership for Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent

Executive Board Members

The Executive Board is collectively responsible for Sport Across Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent. It works in partnership with key agencies and other regional partners to provide inspiration, vision and leadership for the development of sport, physical education and physical activity across Staffordshire.

 

Board Members champion the benefits of sport and represent Staffordshire's interests at regional and national levels.

 

The Board's key aims are to work with Partners to increase participation in sport, physical education and physical activity and build clear pathways for people with sporting talent to enable them to reach their potential

 

PEN PORTRAITS

• Laurence O'Neill
  Chair - County Sports Partnership

Laurence is a consultant specialising in change management, strategic business, multi-brand marketing strategies and intelligence services. He has experience of working with multi-agency partnerships and for the past six years he has been involved in introducing, co-ordinating and leading multi-agent partnerships deliver end-to-end services.

Laurence also has experience of managing the implementation of quality management systems including clinical governance in health care. 

 

• Sue Finnigan
  Vice-Chair, County Sports Partnership
  Management Consultant and Interim Manager  

Sue manages her own consultancy company providing services to local authorities. She has over 25 years experience of working for local authorities predominantly in the cultural, community and leisure sector. Sue has experience of developing multi million pound cultural and leisure projects, extensive partnership and community development experience and has a breadth of knowledge and practice of working on cross-cutting agendas such as Health and Well Being, Children and Young People, Community Safety and Regeneration. 

• Michelle Adams
  Sport & Leisure Services Manager, Stoke-on-Trent City Council

An experienced senior manager both in the public and private sector, Michelle has extensive strategic experience in large and small authorities and working for a leading 'blue chip' company in managing large scale projects and services within the leisure and cultural sector.  She has demonstrable track record of innovation, delivering complex projects, change management and turning poor performance into success.  Michelle has wide ranging expertise and excellent problem solving and negotiation skills. She has strong presentation and interpersonal abilities, and has lead on major projects for an international Government sports organisation based in Germany.

 

• Carl Bennett
  Senior Health Improvement Specialist, NHS Stoke-on-Trent
  
  

  Profile to follow.

• Stephen Brown
  Chief Executive, Cannock Chase District Council

Stephen has been Chief Executive of Cannock Chase Council in Staffordshire for over 4 years.

He was born in Newcastle upon Tyne in 1956 and qualified as an Environmental Health Officer with Newcastle Metropolitan Council in 1980.  Subsequently he spent 9 years working for the City of London Corporation before climbing the management ladder through stints at High Wycombe District Council and Aylesbury Vale District Council before being appointed Strategic Director with Ashfield District Council in 1996.

As Chief Executive at Cannock Chase Council, Stephen has pioneered a partnership agenda which has included joint Director appointments with both the PCT and the County Council and has seen the Council achieve 3 Beacon Awards for Partnership work in as many years.

Stephen became involved in the work of the SOLACE International Working Group (IWG), having been a participant in the International Exchange Scheme and now runs the International Exchange Programme on behalf of the IWG.  

• Janene Cox
  Assistant Director - Culture & Libraries, Staffordshire County Council

Profile and photo to follow.

 

• Angela Dale
  Head of Sport, Keele University

Photo to follow.

Member of North West Regional Board - BUCS (British Universities & College Sport). Previously worked in a range of sport related roles within local authorities including sports development and leisure centre management. Works nationally and internationally with other higher education bodies in sport.

• Simon Dickie
  National Youth and Community Manager, Amateur Rowing Association

Simon has experience in the voluntary, private and local government sectors. He brings knowledge as an athlete, coach educator and club volunteer.  He has a keen interest in all watersports and the growth and sustainability of clubs.

• Malcolm Duncan
  Executive Board, Voluntary Sector Representative

RFU Council Member for Staffordshire, Trustee of the Rugby Football Foundation. Member of the CCDP Steering Group for the RFU. Treasurer of the British Orienteering Federation. Treasurer for Victim Support Staffordshire. Vice Chair of the Newcastle-under-Lyme Sports Council. Chartered Accountant & part-time Chairman of a local Foundry Company.

Malcolm's knowledge and experience lies in financial management and control in sport covering both governing bodies and clubs, with particular experience in funding for facilities and development. 

 

• Councillor Mark Heenan
  Staffordshire County Council
  
  

  Profile to follow.

 

• Adam Hill
  Head of Culture & Leisure Services, Stafford Borough Council

Adam has over 18 years experience in the leisure industry, working for both the private sector and within 7 local authorities. Adam has a diverse portfolio within his current role as Head of Leisure for Stafford Borough Council, including; heritage, arts, sports development, play, parks & open spaces, theatre, events and leisure centres & facilities.

Adam is Chair of the sub-regional, Staffordshire Chief Leisure Officers Forum and sits on a wide range of bodies promoting all aspects of leisure on both a sub-regional and regional basis. As well as these strategic roles Adam remains active in both playing and coaching in a range of sports and leisure activities.

• Caroline Holder
  

  Senior Teacher Consultant for Physical Education and Active Lifestyles at Staffordshire County Council, Education Transformation Division

Photo to follow.

Caroline is the senior teacher consultant for PE and Active Lifestyles. She offers support and guidance to schools and other providers. She is passionate about health, sport and physical activity and providing the best possible opportunities for young people and the community.

 

• David Pinnock
  Executive Board, Voluntary Sector Representative

Stafford Enterprise Agency, Board Member. Formerly, Strategic Director, Stafford Borough Council.

David has many years local government experience of leisure and recreation issues and projects at local, sub regional and regional level.  He has a positive outlook and believes effective partnership working is an important means of supporting organisations and individuals delivering sporting and recreational opportunities. 

• Jo Robins
  Consultant in Public Health - Health Improvement, South Staffordshire Public Health

Profile and photo to follow.

 

• Dr Nigel Thomas
  Head of Sport and Exercise, Staffordshire University

Nigel has worked in a range of sport-related roles within local authorities, governing bodies and higher education. He has a wealth of experience in the development and analysis of sport policy.

• Andy Weston
  County Development Manager, Staffordshire Football Association

Andy has worked for Staffordshire Football Association for the past six years. Prior to this he worked in sports development within Stafford Borough Council and as a leisure manager for a sports centre.

Andy brings to the role a knowledge of NGB policies, facility development through Football Foundation bids, and Child Protection policies, through his role as a FA tutor and mentor. Having worked as a county officer, he has a wide knowledge of Staffordshire and the opportunities and challenges within.

Have Your Say If you would like to ask any of the Executive Board members a question, please email sportacrossstaffordshire@staffordbc.gov.uk . Please mark your email for the attention of the Board member you would like to respond. Questions that are not directed to a named person will be answered by the Chair, Laurence O'Neill.

 

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