Disability Sport Wales (DSW) is proud to reveal its new board who will lead the delivery of the organisation’s strategic mission for the next four year term.
The two part process which elected/ appointed the new board was transparent and robust with an outstanding reach resulting in a strong, diverse, balanced and knowledgeable board that have the collective skills to ensure the Disability Sport Wales vision and key targets are achieved over the next four years.
The following board members were appointed:
Chair of Disability Sport Wales: Pippa Britton (Paralympian/ World Para- Archery Committee Member/Education Equalities Trainer)
Vice Chair: Neil Ashbridge (Retired Agent for Wales – Bank of England)
Liz Johnson (Paralympic Swimmer, C4 presenter, Business/Accountancy )
Ryan Jones (Former Welsh Rugby Union Captain/ British and Irish Lions Player/Current Bristol RFC Player/Broadcast Media)
Andrew Thomas (Head of Sport, Play and Active Wellbeing-Bridgend County Borough Council)
James Lusted (Dwarf Sport Association Athlete, Actor, TV presenter, DSW Youth Ambassador to Beijing 2008 with British Council, Committee Member – Dwarf Sports Association UK – 2008-2010, Chairman - Disability Support Network – North Wales Police- 2008-2010, London 2012 Torch Bearer)
Ian Stone (nominated by Welsh Paraplegic and Tetraplegic Sports Association/Deloitte)
Jane Coia (Chair Welsh Association People with Learning Disabilities)
Richard Jones (Chair Welsh Deaf Sport / Deaf Centre Executive Director)
Co-opted Advisors
Ian Howse (Public Policy and Strategy /Risk –Deloitte)
Jenny Cottle (Solicitor –Dolmans)
Sam Lloyd (PR, Communications and Marketing –Lloyd Bell Productions)
The appointment process was supported by Sport Wales Senior Officer, Ian Blackburn, and the Chair of the Welsh Sports Association, Philip Avery.
Commenting on the appointments, Laura McAllister, Chair of Sport Wales, said: “We’re delighted to welcome the new members. The new Board represents a diverse variety of skills and experience chosen through a robust and transparent process. We are in no doubt that it will help lead the organisation to build on the great work it already does and further develop disability sport in Wales.”
Pippa Britton, Chair of Disability Sport Wales said: “I feel very privileged to have been appointed as Chair of Disability Sport Wales and to lead such a competent diverse board. I would like to pay tribute to the members of the previous board who have clearly led from the front and have contributed enormously to the success of the organisation thus far. We have a clear strategy moving forward and I along with my fellow board members will do all that we can to ensure that our vision of ‘transforming lives’ becomes a reality.”
Former Chair of Disability Sport Wales Gareth John MBE becomes the first President of DSW and former board members Jim Munkley MBE and Lance Osgood Vice presidents.
Gareth John MBE President of Disability Sport Wales said: “I am enormously proud of what Disability Sport Wales has achieved over the past decade. Success does not just happen, it is earned and I would pay tribute to my fellow board members, the executive staff and all those involved with the programme who have worked tirelessly to move our offer forward in Wales. I am very humbled to become the first president of DSW and I along with my fellow vice presidents will continue to support this wonderful organisation over the coming years.”
