The London Sports Board explained

The London region has been charged with the task of getting London’s population active.

We will not and cannot do this single-handedly. We will be working with many key stakeholders and London agencies to ensure that sport and physical activity are at the top of everyone’s agenda.

We also have the help of the London Sports Board. This board is made up of people from all sectors of society - local government, voluntary sport, higher and further education, education, health, private sector and so on.

The board has been created to help Sport England London set its priorities and objectives. It will work in partnership with key agencies and other regional partners to support and develop sport and its infrastructures. It will champion and advocate sport within a regional context and will be able to operate and represent sport at a strategic level.

Background

The London Regional Sports Board covers the 32 London boroughs and the City of London and is one of nine Regional Sports Boards across England. The RSBs are sub-committees of the Sport England Main Board. These Boards were established to deliver on a strategy for the development of sport in each region and to achieve greater local decision-making over the allocation of funding, including the distribution of the Lottery Sports Fund within the regions.

Two of the nine Regional Sports Board Chairs also have a seat on Sport England’s Main Board for a two-year period, and one acts as the Deputy Chair of the Board.  Expressions of interest are sought from all of the regional Chairs each time a seat becomes available.

Since 1994, Sport England has invested some £2 billion into sport in England. Working both nationally and through its 9 Regional Sports Boards, it works closely with central and local Government, education and health professionals, the commercial and voluntary sectors, national governing bodies and other sports organisations.  It shares best practice, sets standards, builds partnerships and promotes the benefits of sport, which include healthier living, social inclusion and crime prevention.

Under the GLA Bill DCMS will devolve to the Mayor of London the power to appoint the Chair and 4 members of the London Regional Sports Board. Work towards amending the Sport England Royal Charter, necessary to effect these changes, has begun. In the meantime, The DCMS has delegated the recruitment process to the Mayor of London, while DCMS Ministers retain the power of appointment.

Sean Holt, Regional Director of Sport England London, said:

“We are delighted to have such a diverse mix of knowledgeable individuals in our Regional Sports Board.  Their experience across sport, health and business will help Sport England to shape the long-term plans for the growth of sport in London.  Already, Sport England has distributed more than £200 million to deliver sport in London.  We look forward to continuing our investment in order to make London a healthier and more active city."

Members of the Board

The current Membership of the London Regional Sports Board is: Professor Sue Atkinson; Paula Craig; Andrée Deane; Mohni Gujral; Professor Steve Hodkinson; Dr Colin King; Ros Potts; Rosi Prescott; Murad Qureshi AM, Alex Welsh and Derrick Anderson OBE

London Sports Board Members

Newly appointed Chair, John Brewer, heads up a diverse group of committed, enthusiastic board members.

John Brewer, Chair

John Brewer is the Director of Sport with GlaxoSmithKline (Nutritionals).  John previously sat on the Board for Sport England West Midlands Regional Sports Board (2002-2004).  He was also Director of the Lilleshall Sports Injury and Human Performance Centre between 1992-2004 (at the Lilleshall National Sports Centre) and he also held the position of Head of Sports Science with the Football Association (1988-1993).  Since 2005 John has been a member of UK Sport’s Supplements Review Panel and of the Higher Education Funding Council for England’s Research Assessment Exercise Panel for Sports Science. John has also completed the London Marathon on ten occasions.

Professor Sue Atkinson

Public Health Director for London and advisor on health to the Mayor of London and GLA.  Medically qualified with exclusive experience in improving health and in NHS / public service management.  Founder and executive member of the London Health Commission.  Member of London Food.  Member of Health and Sustainable Development Advisory Group of London Development Agency.  Leads for Department of Health on Olympics and on Sustainable Communities, including urban regeneration.  Uses both bicycle and motorbike to get around London.

Professor Steve Hodkinson

Pro Vice Chancellor Brunel University, Member of Region's Education Task Force, consultant adviser to QCA, various university and teaching posts and strong sports experience at school, university and voluntary sectors.  After 13 years as a secondary school teacher in Manchester Steve joined Manchester University, then Brunel University where he is Professor of Education and pro-vice chancellor.  He has led research in various Euro Asian countries, is a member of the CBI council for London and works closely with the West London Alliance.

Andrée Dean

Communications Director of The Fitness Industry Association (FIA) and Advisor to SkillsActive.  Andrée, after a seven-year career in PE teaching, has worked in the health and fitness industry for over 20 years. This was firstly as a trainer, educator and author of the first Exercise and Fitness NVQ’s and more recently as the Public Affairs representative for the industry through the sponsorship of the FIA. Andrée has been largely responsible for the development of the Register of Exercise Professionals and has contributed to the Department of Health’s National Quality Assurance Framework.

Paula Craig

Having joined the Metropolitan Police Force in 1986 after 4 years as a radiographer Paula is now Detective Sergeant in the West London Murder Command.  

Paula’s sporting achievements are vast having run the London marathon 1995 – 2000 inclusive with a personal best time of 2hrs 57 mins in 2000.  Paula was twice part of the winning women’s team and also competed in several triathlons in 2000 / 2001.

After an accident in May 2001, Paula took part in the London marathon as a wheelchair athlete in April 2002, 2003 (3rd female) and 2004 (2nd female).  She also completed in the Berlin, Rotterdam, Marseilles and Ibach marathons as well as several track meetings over 800m, 1500m and 5kms.  In June 2002 Paula

Competed in her first Olympic distance triathlon as an athlete with a disability and has since competed in 10 triathlon as well as two world championships (only female in 2002 but 3rd overall, 1st female, 2nd overall in 2003).  New challenges in 2004 have seen Paula Skiing in January and start to row at the London Regatta Centre.

Ros Potts

The National Football Development Manager at the Football Association and Executive board member of London Association of Sports Development.  Ros has 16 years experience in sports development, has contributed towards the FA’s whole sport plan, is the lead on developing regional plans and is committed to partnership working.  Ros has a complete understanding of sporting issues and passion for equity.

Alex Welsh

The Operations Director for the London Playing Fields Society, the Chair of Association for Sports Development in London and the Chair of Greater London Football.  Alex is the Academy Coach for Arsenal Football Club, part time coach educator for London FA, external Verifier for 1st 4Sport and an active member of School sport partnership in Waltham Forest.  Through his impeccable track record as a Professional footballer, teacher, coach, coach educator, national governing body representative, sports development officer, youth sport manager for Waltham Forest and Hackney he has developed a thorough understanding of sporting structures.  Alex sees the positive outcomes of community links and importance of feeder primary schools.  He has experience in supporting volunteers and capacity building clubs to increase participation.  He is an active member of the Sub regional Sports Partnership group.

Rosi Prescott

Chief executive of YMCA charity having worked in the health and fitness industry for 25 years.  Strong relationships with the FIA, SkillsActive and REPs.  Rosi is actively involved with several committees and working groups.  Her strengths lie in networking with strategic partners and delivering healthy messages supporting her life long enjoyment of sport.  Previous experience as a manager of a leisure centre; managing director of a private health club supported by a Health science degree.

Murad Qureshi AM

A London Assembly Member with GLA responsibilities as deputy Chair of the Environment Committee, Member of the Transport Committee, Member of the London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority and Member of the Metropolitan Police Authority.  He previously worked in Housing and Regeneration for 15 years establishing Ethnic Housing Associations in the East End.  Murad’s core issues lie in transport and the environment, he aims to provide Londoner’s with a variety of travel options and improve quality of life looking at Sport and its contribution to the capital.  Murad is an avid sports fan playing for a local football and cricket team.  He fully supports London’s 2012 Olympic Bid.

Mohni Gujral

The Chief Executive of Presentation Housing Association working to provide holistic regeneration with affordable, award winning housing together with community services in London and the South East.  He is also the Chairman of Asian Foundation for Philanthropy.  With a long history in the affordable housing and regeneration sector, Mohni previously worked as investment manager at the housing corporation and pioneered work in the field of equality, is the Founding member of Inquilab Housing Association and an active member of Beghar – the first hostel for Asian women fleeing from domestic violence.  Mohni is an experienced ambassador, has developed effective relationships and campaigns and has a proven track record helping to empower local people and promote good practise.

Dr Colin King

Works on a variety of Sports programmes to mentor minority ethnic communities and people with Disabilities, to train youth workers and works to provide valuable research into equity.  Colin has previouse experience in project management, has worked as a Locum and health care worker across London.  Colin has held positions as the Chair of Equality and Race Equality group, Member of FA national Race Equality group, Vice-Chair Greater London Football Partnership and Training and development programmes for Counties.  Colin has a strong background in research and publications specialising in equality with his recent publication in 2005 entitled Offside Racism, Playing the White man. Berg.

Derrick Andersen

Derrick Andersen  has held an array of job titles ranging fron Deputy Director of Action Sports Programme, Sports Council West Midlands 1982-85; Deputy Director, Yorkshire Arts Association 1985-87; Head of Leisure Services, Wakefield Metropolitan District Council 1987-91; Director of Leisure Services, Wolverhampton Metropolitan Borough Council 1991-96; hief Executive, Wolverhampton City Council 1996-06; Chief Executive, London Borough of Lambeth 2006