Meet The Newest Additions To Our Board

Sport for Confidence CIC has strengthened its Board with the appointment of four new Non-Executive Directors, bringing a diverse mix of clinical, strategic and sector expertise to support the organisation’s continued growth and impact. 

 

The new appointments, Ross Perriam, Beth Smithson, Janet Hotz and Gethin Harries, further strengthen the organisation’s commitment to inclusive governance and sector-wide perspectives. Collectively, they will support Sport for Confidence’s mission to tackle health and social inequalities by enabling people furthest away from physical activity to access meaningful opportunities that improve participation, wellbeing and quality of life. 

 

“These appointments represent a really important step in the evolution of Sport for Confidence,” says Lyndsey Barrett, Co-CEO and Senior Occupational Therapist, Sport for Confidence. “As we continue to extend our influence locally and nationally, we need a Board that reflects the complexity of the systems we work in and the communities we serve. 

 

Ross, Janet, Gethin and Beth each bring a powerful combination of expertise, values and lived understanding that will help us strengthen our governance, sharpen our impact and stay true to our purpose.” 

 

Ross Perriam brings more than 30 years of leadership experience in the sports and fitness sector, including 15 years at C-suite level. He is currently CEO of The RAF Central Fund, a grant-giving charity focused on improving access to sport, physical activity and wellbeing for RAF personnel. Previously, Ross was CEO of EMD UK, the national governing body for group exercise and fitness, where he played a key role in shaping standards, workforce development and sector policy. 

 

Ross says: “Physical activity is one of the most underutilised tools we have in improving population health and tackling long-term inequalities. Sport for Confidence sits right at the intersection of the UK’s preventative health agenda and Sport England’s Uniting the Movement strategy, with a model that is grounded in evidence, inclusion and real-world impact. I’m passionate about supporting an organisation that is focused on reaching those furthest from activity and creating meaningful change through participation.” 

 

Janet R. Hotz joined the Board in 2026 and brings extensive senior leadership experience across multiple industries. She has built her career as a Chief Operating Officer and Global Head of Strategy and Delivery, leading organisational transformation programmes focused on strategic growth, financial sustainability and operational delivery, with a strong interest in how systems can support long-term wellbeing and inclusion. 

 

Gethin Harries joins the Board as a senior health and wellbeing leader with deep clinical and system-level experience. A qualified Physiotherapist, Gethin currently leads integrated rehabilitation services within the NHS and co-authored the All-Wales Rehabilitation Framework (2022). He has also worked across amateur and professional sport and brings a people-first, mission-led approach to governance and impact. 

 

Beth Smithson is a qualified Occupational Therapist with over 20 years’ experience across health, education and social care in the UK and internationally. She is currently Director for Lifelong Learning at Sensory Integration Education, where she develops professional education programmes and mentors clinicians, with a strong focus on participation, inclusion and community-based practice. 

 

Beth adds: “What really resonates with me about Sport for Confidence is the way physical activity is delivered as a meaningful occupation, not just an intervention. The organisation is successfully embedding movement into occupational therapy practice across community, health and social care settings, supporting people to build confidence, identity and participation in the places where they actually live their lives.” 

 

Jake Turner, Co-CEO, Sport for Confidence, says: “Our work is rooted in the belief that participation in meaningful activity is a fundamental right, not a privilege. These four individuals bring a depth of expertise and shared values that align strongly with our Blueprint – tackling inequalities, building inclusive environments and creating opportunities that enable people to lead truly fulfilling lives. Their collective insight will be instrumental as we continue to scale our impact across health, social care and community systems.” 

 

The new Non-Executive Directors will support Sport for Confidence’s strategic focus on delivering occupationally led, evidence-informed interventions that address systemic barriers to physical activity, particularly for people experiencing disability, disadvantage or exclusion. 

 

As these new joiners take their seat at the table, Sport for Confidence would like to thank our out going NEDS, Julia Skelton and Stuart Palma for their valuable input throughout their tenure. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Find out more about our Board of Directors here.