Sport for Confidence Welcomes New Non-Executive Directors

Sport for Confidence CIC has bolstered its board with the appointment of four new Non-Executive Directors. This strategic move introduces a diverse range of experiences, insights and perspectives, strengthening the organisation’s ability to advance its mission: harnessing the power of sport and physical activity to positively impact lives and promote occupational outcomes through inclusive opportunities. 

 

“These new appointments come at a critical and exciting time in Sport for Confidence’s development,” says Founder and Creative Director, Dan Black. “When we launched the organisation in 2015, my Co Founder and Lead Occupational Therapist, Lyndsey Barrett was working with one client at Basildon Sporting Village. Today, the organisation has a national reach, working in collaboration with many, many partners including Public Health, the NHS, the Royal College of Occupational Therapy, a number of local authorities, leisure operators and many, many local community providers, all aligned to our vision to create inclusive environments that break down barriers, empowering access, choice and independence. 

 

“Our invitation to join our Board prompted an incredible response. It was humbling to realise how many people support our vision and would like to contribute to our onward journey. That said, we had just four spaces available and I am confident the individuals selected will make a valuable contribution that will enable us to grow and extend our influence in tackling inequalities and widening opportunities for those who can most benefit.” 

 

The first new Non-Executive Director to join the Board is Carol Slade. After starting her career in the commercial sector, Carol spent the majority of her professional life working within a large disability charity where she held several positions including working closely with the CEO and acting as Board Secretary, Company Secretary and lead on Board governance. Today, Carol works as an independent IT consultant. Carol has an entrepreneurial flair and as a person living with a disability herself, brings lived experience of the valuable contribution sport and physical activity can deliver. Carol is fully bought into Sport For Confidence’s vision to apply innovative approaches, removing barriers, offering choice and empowering people provides inclusion to all those who would otherwise be ignored or forgotten. 

 

The second new Non-Executive Director to be appointed is Ben Beevers. Ben is Group Development Director, Everyone Active, one of the UK’s largest and most reputable leisure operators. Ben brings with him more than 30 years leisure, health and fitness experience, plus a huge bank of knowledge relating to how community leisure centres can connect to the community, delivering facilities and services that engage everyone. 

 

Joining Ben is Scott Baker, Clinical Director for Allied Health Professionals and Leadership for Mid and South Essex Integrated Care Board. Scott started out his professional career as a sports coach, later training to become a Chartered Physiotherapist specialising in Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy within the NHS where he also held the position of MSK Clinical Lead for NHS East of England. Scott’s passion for tackling inequalities and breaking down barriers to enable everyone to achieve their potential, has also driven him to achieve a Master’s degree in leadership and to become the first ever recipient of the FMLM’s Collaborative Fellowship award to accredit non-medical practitioners for their healthcare leadership and management experience. 

 

 

The fourth NED to join the board is Ian Moss. Ian has worked as a lawyer and negotiator in the music, film and TV industries for more than 30 years. He currently works for an independent music company where he has responsibility for everything legal, commercial and HR related. He is also a qualified mediator, Portsmouth FC season ticket holder and pickleball addict. 

 

The NEDs began their 3-year, voluntary tenure this month [August 2024]. The full Sport for Confidence Board is now as follows: 

 

• Steve Mitchell, Learning and Skills expert - Chair 

• Lyndsey Barrett, Sport For Confidence Founder and Lead Occupational Therapist – Director 

• Dan Black, Founder of Detail Design Consultants, Director 

 

• Jake Turner, Operations Director, Sport for Confidence 

 

• Carol Slade, Independent IT Consultant 

• Ben Beevers, Group Development Director, Everyone Active 

• Scott Baker, Clinical Director for Allied Health Professionals and Leadership for Mid and South Essex Integrated Care Board 

• Ian Moss, Lawyer 

• Stuart Palmer, Chartered Physiotherapist 

• Julia Skelton, Occupational Therapist 

• Jamie Hooper, Diversity & Inclusion expert 

 

Click here for more information about the Sport for Confidence Board of Directors.