Sport Wales bosses sacked by minister
THE chairman of Sport Wales and his deputy have been sacked by the Welsh Government.
Paul Thomas and Adele Baumgardt have been told by Minister for Social Services and Public Health Rebecca Evans AM that she feels “fresh leadership” is needed at the organisation.
In November, all activities of the board were suspended and then in February, Ms Evans said the pair would be suspended but the rest of the board would be reinstated.
She said that Lawrence Conway would take over as interim chair with former Acas chief executive John Taylor advising him in a consultancy role.
Ms Evans said that the original suspension was intended to be a “cooling off” period after a “significant breakdown of some interpersonal relationships”.
However, she yesterday said that new leadership is needed.
In her statement, she wrote: “I have today informed the Chair and Vice Chair of Sport Wales that I consider the need to secure fresh leadership to be necessary to restoring a wellfunctioning board going forward. I have therefore informed both the Chair, Dr Thomas, and the Vice Chair, Adele Baumgardt, that I am terminating their appointments with notice.
“Whilst both individuals have had the interests of sport in Wales as their priority, and have exhibited energy and dedication, I consider there to have been an irretrievable breakdown in relationships within the leadership of the board of Sport Wales.
“My overriding objective is the effectiveness of Sport Wales and its contribution to the wellbeing of the nation through its focus on sport and physical recreation, hence my decision. I have asked the interim Chair, Lawrence Conway, to remain in post for the remainder of 2017 at least, and to take this forward with the remaining board members.”
It emerged that earlier in the summer, stakeholders were asked to give their thoughts on the effectiveness and purpose of Sport Wales.
A leaked report, part of a review by Dr Thomas when he took over, said the organisation “is perceived as lacking openness and transparency” and needs a “significant change in leadership style”.
One stakeholder described it as a “cash machine with PR skills” and as an organisation which “lacks relevance within the sector”.
“At present, Sport Wales is hindered by its pursuit of straplines and poor vision statements that create barriers to real understanding of the unique offerings in its remit”.
Another comment made is “the relationship between Welsh Government and Sport Wales should become more mature. Welsh ministers are, in effect, buying the delivery of outcomes through the transfer of taxpayers’ money to Sport Wales.
It calls for a “separation of powers” between the board and executive.
After the report was published, a no-confidence vote was held in Dr Thomas.
Plaid Cymru’s Rhun ap Iorwerth AM, said: “There is no doubt that this has been a very difficult period for staff and all those people involved with Sports Wales.
“There are serious questions to be answered by the Minister following her statement today on the original recruitment process and on the assurance review which was conducted. I will be asking the Minister to conduct a review of the processes and to publish the assurance review.
“I will also be seeking clarification from the Minister on the issues which led to the irretrievable breakdown in relationships within the leadership of the board of Sport Wales, and what support they will now be giving Sport Wales to enable the organisation going forward.”