Meet The Board

About John:

I am delighted to be appointed Chair of Goalball UK. I have always had a great interest in sport and participated in a number of sports in my younger days but now I mainly watch sport but I do play golf on a regular basis.

I am a Chartered Accountant by training and I had a long and wide – ranging international career in the professional services sector with PricewaterhouseCoopers ( PwC).  Since retiring from a senior position at PwC in 2008 I have had a number of Non-Executive and Trustee roles in the public, charity and private sectors.

I hope to be able to bring my business experience and contacts to help the development of Goalball particularly around the areas of business planning and strategy.

I have a personal interest in Goalball as my nephew is a regular player and as a result there was already a strong family interest in Goalball.

I look forward to meeting as many as people possible in the Goalball community and spreading the word about the sport of Goalball.

About Kate:

Like many people, I first became aware of goalball in 2012 when London hosted the Paralympics. I worked for the disability charity Papworth Trust at the time, so I was lucky enough to watch a few matches and meet some of the players. I was struck by their skill and bravery and I’m delighted to see some of them still leading in the sport now.

My background is in communications and marketing, and I have worked for over 20 years across the commercial, charity and education sectors. I have managed internal and external campaigns including launching new strategies, rebranding, copywriting and designing new websites. Currently, I am working with various parts of the University of Cambridge on projects including inclusion, diversity and sustainability.

I’m excited by the new strategy at Goalball UK ‘Transforming More Lives’ because it gets to the heart of what the sport is about; transforming the lives of blind and partially sighted people through goalball. As part of the Board, I hope to use my skills to help make goalball a universally recognized sport in the UK so that more people can experience it .

I’ve read inspiring stories about players who discovered the sport through the work of Goalball UK in schools, colleges and universities, and who have progressed through its targeted training programme to become elite sportspeople competing across the World. As an organisation, we want to give more people the chance to get involved by trying the sport then rising through its ranks. I hope to help Goalball UK increase awareness and funding of the sport to ensure its continued growth.

Outside work, I’m kept busy by two children and far too many pets. We walk, cycle, go camping and get muddy. Although I achieve my target step-count every day, I have not reached a high level in any sport and I remain in awe of those who do so.

About Peter:

I am a former international middle distance athlete having competed for Britain in the Olympics, World and European championship and in addition, represented England at the Commonwealth Games in the 800 and 1500 metres.

During this period I won an Olympic silver medal in the 1500m, a silver medal in the 800m at the World Championship, European indoor silver medal in the 800m along with gold and bronze medals in the Commonwealth Games in the 1500m & 800m. I also held the World record for 1500m indoors which I believe it still a British record.

In a coaching capacity, I have coached athletes to major championship level and held the position of UK Athletics middle distance national events coach.

I currently work at the English Institute of Sport (EIS) as Director of Operations. I have been with the organisation since 2004 taking on various roles during this period of time. The EIS provides sport science, medicine, technology and engineering support to athletes and sports on a World Class Programme at Olympic and Paralympic level.

In addition to the above roles and along with the position of director of Goalball UK I am also the president of South Yorkshire Schools Athletic Association which provides me with the opportunity to give something back to grass roots athletics.

About Ranjit:

Most of my career has been in the world of commercial retail in the UK and USA with companies like The Body Shop, Virgin and Marks & Spencer.  I have also throughout my career been involved in charities as a board member, volunteer or mentor.  In the USA I was vice chair of a charity that supported a unique school in Manhattan, and in the UK I worked as a volunteer managing director for a special needs charity that supported children through yoga therapy.  Currently I am a non-executive director on the Girlguiding UK/Trading Board.

Even though I am well past my sporting peak, I still enjoy a game of tennis and squash as well as running and yoga.  I am also a qualified yoga teacher and occasionally teach at a leading London studio.

I have always found this Arthur Ashe quote inspirational ‘From what we get we can make a living.  What we give, however makes a life’ and it has carried me here to Goalball UK.  I’m hoping my commercial experience and network  can help the organisation strengthen its financial base as well as increase its’ reach.

About Scott

I first discovered goalball and Goalball UK after looking for a non-exec or director role to offer something back in areas I had a passion for and where I could maintain my intellectual curiosity. I love sport and have a passion to promote equal opportunity and access, seeing the impact of a that being less available as a youth and through close family.

Since leaving university I have been employed in financial services industry covering a broad array of responsibilities. This includes running and leading global business but within this having ownership for risk and compliance, raising and managing capital, but supporting diversity and equality through providing the best corporate culture.

Do you have any previous involvement / experience in sport? Only as a player and a spectator. I try not to live those dreams and aspirations through watching and pushing my own children too hard! But seriously I have been pretty good across most sports but never really excelled at any. My main pastimes are football, cricket and golf.

I have recently just finished a term on one of the Bank of England committees as Chair of an advisory group and independent director of the Sonia Oversight Committee. I am the Chief Executive of the Loan Market Association, a trade association representing the loan market across EMEA with almost 900 member firms.

I am genuinely most excited about giving something back and seeing success in areas where I am directly contributing too. If that means sporting achievement for the goalball GB squads then super, but equally it would be just as cool to see enhanced fundraising supporting the growth of the sport and more benefits at the grassroots level helping mental health, opportunities to be active and around a team and a community.

About Emma

As part of my role at Sport Wales as the Insight, Policy and Public Affairs Manager, I decided I wanted to join a Board as a NED to develop my skills and also to offer my experience. I joined Women on Boards and the advert was one of the first I saw. I worked for RNIB Cymru a number of years ago in a similar role, and now, at Sport Wales I felt that my two experiences were a perfect mix for this opportunity and knew I had to put myself forward.

I have been working in Communications and Public Affairs since 2009 and in Wales since 2012 in roles which cover human rights and social justice, as well as disability, sport and for a number of years in the Welsh Parliament. I am a passionate campaigner, and very keen to support the development of causes which will improve experiences for people’s lives.

I am a keen half marathon runner and latent netball player as well as a passionate support of Welsh sports’ teams! My role at Sport Wales has given me a whole new perspective on sport and sports governance and how clubs and societies develop, improve and support their members’ lives.

As well as my role at Sport Wales, I am working to set up a Women’s Sport Charity in Wales to advocate for women’s sport, connect and celebrate women’s achievements.

One of the things that attracted me to this role is the size of Goalball UK and the opportunity to support the work where the professional team need – I am a doer and keen to get stuck into whatever projects come my way.

About Lauren

I believe passionately in the power of sport, not only for physical well-being but for a vast array of social outcomes like mental health and building stronger communities. Sport has done so much for me throughout my life and I believe that everyone should have the opportunity to take part in sport and physical activity. I learnt about Goalball during London 2012 as many people did and it was incredibly inspiring to watch so to be a part of it is amazing!

I have worked in non-profit programme and project management for over 20 years. I began my career in international development – primarily sport for development – in various different countries. I then returned to the UK and worked in the youth sector until having my children and becoming a consultant. I now head up the Mayor of London’s sport team whilst also freelancing as a project management consultant and trainer for non-profits.

I have always played sport, I will try any sport I can! At university I was president of our women’s cricket team and vice captain of our hockey team. It is now a lot harder to find the time but I stay as physically active as possible and have taken part in the London Marathon and Triathlon.

I currently work as a Senior Manager – Sport at the Greater London Authority as well as being a Freelance Consultant. I’m looking forward to supporting a small organisation to continue to grow and, importantly, I am looking forward to learning more about the sport, the players, and what the sport means to them.

About Allegra:

I have always had a huge passion for health and fitness, having spent my younger years working in a leisure centre and, most recently, certifying as a personal trainer. Accessibility of sporting activities has always been something I have felt strongly about, having seen it’s wide ranging benefits and how it can connect people and can bring about a sense of community. So for me, joining Goalball UK board offers me a really exciting opportunity to combine my professional experience with my passion.

I am a chartered management accountant with almost 10 years cross-industry experience including manufacturing/fmcg, retail, construction/development and alternative medicine. I love learning and to be challenged which is why, throughout my career, I have also upheld a wide variety of roles within finance – everything from internal controls to commercial finance.

I am an avid runner and swimmer and occasional boulderer. I also have a lovely yellow Labrador, Archie, who keeps me forever on my toes!

Other than being obsessed with sport/fitness and my dog, I read a lot of non-fiction – anything and everything! I love being enlightened and/or gaining a new perspective on topics/subjects I haven’t previously thought too deeply about.

I have previously been a school governor at Kings Norton Boys School which was extremely rewarding and eye opening. I also used to volunteer for a small local charity that supports people with learning disabilities.

I’m excited about joining the Goalball family and being able to help support the delivery of Goalball UK’s obsessions and transforming more lives.

About Mark:

Having qualified as a Chartered Accountant, I have spent over 20 years in the private sector advising small and medium-sized businesses. I now work exclusively in the sporting and charity world and has advised several government-funded sports, but Goalball UK remains my longest-serving Board post, where I am also the Company Secretary.

I have been the principal adviser to the Government on how their money is being spent, and I help the Goalball UK Board of Directors understand where the sport’s finances are up to and irritates the Goalball  UK staff with his queries about expenses and invoices!

Aside from my wife Helen and children Leo and Holly, one of my main passion’s is Manchester United Football Club, where I am a season-ticket holder for over 30 years. Family life currently occupies a lot of my time, but when my wife allows me some of my favourite interests are travelling to different countries, reading a variety of books, watching films most people think are boring and catching up with his friends over real ales drunk by middle aged men.

Amongst his various roles, I believe that it’s the warmth, positivity and sense of enjoyment of the people in the world of goalball that make the sport stand out from the others and be a pleasure to be involved with.

About Mark:

I am truly delighted to be the CEO of Goalball UK. It is a complete pleasure to lead such a talented group of people. A very wise person said, ‘Find a job you love and you don’t go to work anymore.’ I feel I have found this position. I have over 15 years’ experience in sports, charity and education management.

I have worked in schools, colleges, Higher education settings, local authorities and professional sports clubs in a variety of leadership roles.

My aim is to work with everyone in our sport to provide vision and leadership and ensure high quality services. I love providing individuals, groups and communities with the best environments to achieve their full potential. I am a lifelong sports enthusiast and I have played, coached and watched sports all my life.