New sport board ‘has the expertise and experience’
THE minister who suspended all activities of Sport Wales has said she believes the new board have the necessary “expertise and experience”.
Sport Wales is the national organisation responsible for developing and promoting sport and physical activity in Wales.
It has responsibilty for £20m of public money each year.
In November, a vote of no confidence was passed by board members in former chair Dr Paul Thomas.
That came about after a “clash of cultures and styles” which led to a “deterioration in the relationship between the chair and other board members”.
After that, Welsh Government ministers intervened and suspended all activities of the board.
Mr Thomas, and his deputy Adele Baumgardt, were then sacked.
But now, the board’s new make-up has been announced.
Civil servant Lawrence Conway was appointed as interim chairman and now Public Health Minister Rebecca Evans has announced paralympian Pippa Britton as vice-chair.
Four new members to the board – Ashok Ahir, Ian Bancroft, Christian Malcolm and Alison Thorne have also been appointed.
Mr Ahir works in communications and is chair of the organising committee for the National Eisteddfod 2018.
Mr Bancroft is responsible for all leisure and cultural services at Flintshire County Council.
Four-time Olympian Mr Malcolm is the technical lead coach to Team GB Men and Women’s 4x100m relay team and sprint coach to GB Paralympic and Welsh athletes. He is also a Welsh Athletics Board Member and director of his own community sports academy.
Ms Thorne has held executive board and commercial leadership positions and is currently a trustee with Chwarae Teg – Wales lead for Women on Boards and is a mentor with Business Wales. Their terms will begin on October 1.
Richard Parks and Samar Wafa have been reappointed and retake their positions from September 1.
Ms Evans said: “I’m very pleased to appoint Pippa Britton as the new vice-chair of Sport Wales, and Ashok Ahir, Ian Bancroft, Christian Malcolm and Alison Thorne as members of the board. I’m also pleased to reappoint Richard Parks and Samar Wafa as members of the board.
“Together, they bring a wealth of experience of working with underengaged communities to inspire and increase participation levels, as well as an understanding of the needs of elite athletes. I am grateful to the new members for accepting the invitation to serve on the board. I am also grateful to those out-going members for their service.
“I am confident the board has the expertise and experience required to support me and the staff of Sport Wales in taking forward our ambitions for a more active and successful nation. I look forward to working with them.”
Lawrence Conway, chair of Sport Wales added: “I am delighted to welcome our five new Board members. They join Sport Wales at an important time as we take forward the development of our new corporate strategy. The members will strengthen the Board with their wealth of knowledge and experience and provide invaluable insight and perspective to the Board’s deliberations. I would like to thank the outgoing Board members for their commitment and valued contributions in ensuring the success of sport in Wales.”