Cardiff, Wales, United Kingdom
A dynamic and highly experienced senior Executive with an impressive record of delivering success in a complex multi- stakeholder environment. Excellent business acumen with outstanding leadership and interpersonal skills setting high standards as a positive role model. Extensive experience of the role of Chief Executive and working at Board level, operating with an authentic, decisive, motivational and collaborative style. Strong values and commitment to inclusion, equality and diversity. A driven and ambitious change manager dedicated to continuous business improvement. Passionate about the role football can play in individual lives, local communities and inspiring and uniting the nation.
A strategic and influential football role embedding me at all levels of the game from grass roots to international teams and leadership of senior Directors and Coaches. I was responsible for: - Working closely and in collaboration with theTechnical Director on the conception and production of the FRMF technical strategy; - Developing and overseeing the implementation of operational systems and processes for key actions and activities within the strategic plan; - Resource planning, including coordinating the deployment of national and regional staff within technical programmes; - Detailed monitoring and reporting systems on behalf of the Technical Directorate; - Coordinating the project management of the FIFA funded Talent Development programme in support of the Regionalisation Plan and FRMF Federal Training Centres; - Setting the quality standards and monitoring processes for the licensing system of the Federal Training Centres and Academies of Professional Clubs; - Overseeing the development and implementation of the MyTeam platform, the FRMF’s national team administration and database system; - Contributing as a specialist expert to CAF Pro and A License Coach Education courses.
I formed a strong and collaborative partnership with the Board and oversaw a number of significant structural and change management projects that delivered outstanding operational success. Successes included multiple years of increases in participation, Accreditation to Pro Licence Level for UEFA's Coaching Convention and Wales becoming one of the first Associations to Achieve Gold Standard under UEFA's Charter for Grassroots football. I successfully managed high level stakeholder relationships including UEFA, FAW, Welsh Government, Sport Wales, Premier League and multiple commercial and business development partnerships including McDonald's, Lidl and Vauxhall. I worked collaboratively with the Chair and Board of Trustees on a modernisation programme aligned to governance and legal frameworks. Grew and diversified revenue streams year on year, strengthening the Trust's financial position. An influential member of the Project Management Team for the 2016 Euros, with specific responsibility for Stakeholder engagement. Handled multiple media interviews including live broadcasts on UK and international networks. Recruited, developed and led a diverse and multi skilled staff team with responsibility for grassroots football development, Coach Education, talent development and facility infrastructure projects. Appointed Secretary of the FAW Community Game Board, overseeing the successful completion of grassroots projects of national significance, including an extensive review of the Area Associations. Chaired the Chief Executives Forum for National Governing Bodies of Sport and was the sector lead for the Governance and Leadership Framework for Welsh Sport. Chaired the Facilities Collaboration Group that oversaw the allocation of £3M of Welsh Government funding for the development and improvement of grass and artificial turf pitches.
A member of the Project team that successfully delivered the Football Development Centres at Newport (Dragon Park ) and Wrexham (Colliers Park) meeting both construction timeline and financial targets set by the Board. As Managing Director of the subsidiary joint venture company, Parc y Ddraig, I successfully managed the service level agreements with the FAW ensuring that financial and operational targets for both facilities were achieved.
Trading as Welsh Grounds Improvements, the Company allocates grant funding to FAW member Clubs for facility infrastructure development projects, aligned to Club Licensing criteria. Combining this role with that of Chief Executive of the FAW Trust, I worked collaboratively with the Board to set policy and award grants to clubs. During my tenure WGI successfully administered over £6M in funding for grounds improvements projects.