Biographies
Chris Hespe - Kent County Council's Head of Sport, Leisure and Olympics
Chris
leads Kent County Council`s work on sport, leisure and the Olympics. Part
of his role entails directing the Kent Sport, Leisure & Olympics Service.
He has worked for three district councils in sport and leisure, London Docklands Development Corporation, Sport England, central government and the British Olympic Association; and has been an advisor to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport and the Local Government Association. Within Kent County Council, he has held positions outside the sport and leisure sphere, such as Organisational Change Manager and as Business Manager for the Kent Environment and Planning Agency and Project Director of Kent History Centre. He is Managing Director of Kent Institute of Sport, a Trustee of Kent Trust for Youth Sport and a member of the Kent and Medway Sports Board.
Chris holds Masters degrees in International Law and in Leisure Management, a degree in Sports Science and diplomas in management and sport and recreation. He is a Loughborough-trained teacher and a fellow of the Chartered Management Institute. He is a member of the Quest Industry Board, which leads the UK quality scheme for the sport and leisure industry. Chris is a Company Director and Trustee of ISPAL (the Institute for Sport, Parks and Leisure), in which he is the industry representative for local government in the UK and the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Chris was the first leisure professional to be appointed to an urban
development corporation and the first County Director of Sport nationwide.
Chris founded the Kent Sports Development Unit and the Kent Campaign for
the 2012 Games, which he chairs. Chris represents the counties of the
South East on the Regional 2012 Partnership and is a member of the London
2012 Sports Legacy Commission.
Tel: 01622 605002 Email: chris.hespe@kent.gov.uk
Colleen Rawlings - Personal Assistant to Chris Hespe
Colleen
is PA to Chris Hespe - Kent County Council's Head of Sport, Leisure and
Olympics Service. In addition to carrying out her regular PA duties, she also
provides invaluable administrative support to other senior members of
the team.
Alongside the technical aspects of her role, Colleen is also the initial
point of contact for professionals and members of the County Council wishing
to access Chris Hespe.
Colleen is an extremely experienced PA who over the last fifteen years
has worked in a variety of private and public sector organisations, including
Bexley Hospital, Kent Fire Brigade, NHS and more latterly at Kent County
Council - even a stint at the BBC typing Terry Wogan’s scripts!
She is an extremely competent and highly qualified individual and is a
Member of the Institute of Qualified Administrators (IQA) . Colleen sees
herself as an eternal student and regularly updates her IT skills - most
recently a Pitman qualification in Excel Expert.
Outside of work, Colleen enjoys cooking, nutrition, travelling, walking,
volunteering and raising funds for various charitable organisations and
keeping herself fit and active. She frequently attends the gym and has
achieved her level 1 Nordic Walking certificate, whilst at the same time
raising money for the British Heart Foundation.
Recent volunteering activities have included the Hilary Lister Event,
Pass the Passion Event and the Kent School Games.
Tel No: 01622 605706 Email: colleen.rawlings@kent.gov.uk
Kevin Day - Head of Operations
Kevin
has worked in the Sports Development profession since 1987 and has been
at Kent Sport, Leisure and Olympics Service since March 1999. His previous experience
includes working at both County level in Essex and at district level in
Wycombe, where amongst other things he was involved in developing opportunities
for young people, coaching development and assisting schools and other
organisations with lottery and other funding bids.
His current areas of responsibility include line management of staff
involved in supporting Governing Bodies of Sport, performance and excellence
and participation, along with budgetary management and overseeing the
Service’s performance against national and local targets. In addition,
Kevin leads on the Unit’s involvement in the Quest continuous improvement
programme, which is the UK Quality Scheme for the Sport and Leisure industry.
In his spare time, like many parents he acts as a volunteer taxi driver
for his children who are participate in football and boxing!.
Tel: 01622 605003
Email: kevin.day@kent.gov.uk
Mike Bishop - Kent Disability Sports Manager
I
came into post in December 2002 with a personal background in disability
sport, having spent 20 years playing wheelchair Basketball, including
with a team, Capital City Jazz, who won the National Championships in
1991. My experience in wheelchair Basketball has included playing in a
European Championship and initiating and running several Kent based Clubs.
My role in Kent Sport, Leisure and Olympics Service involves supporting disabled people to access mainstream sports opportunities. Supporting the establishment and development of single and multi-sport disability Clubs, and promoting Disability Sport. With the London 2012 Games fast approaching this also involves supporting our current and future Kent Paralympians, as well as other elite disabled sports men and women.
Within the Service I am a member of the Senior Management Team and within Kent County Council I am the Disability Champion, on behalf of the Directorate.
Tel: 01732 525389 Email: mike.bishop@kent.gov.uk
Chris Metherell - Kent Sports Facilities Development Manager
Other
than Chris Hespe, the Head of Sport, Leisure & Olympics, Chris is
the only remaining original member of staff left from the Service’s
start in October 1991. He has consistently been one of the county’s
most prolific earners of external funding for sport facilities. In one
of his best years, he achieved over £20 million of external funding
for sports facilities in Kent.
Previous to his current position, Chris worked for seventeen years in local authority sport and leisure management. He has a degree in the subject, and is a qualified coach in Squash, Badminton, Trampolining, Basketball, Volleyball and Handball (although some have now lapsed). In the early 70’s Chris played rugby for both Bristol then Bath and was also a county squash player.
Chris’s current job is to assist organisations, whether they be
public, private or voluntary develop sports facilities in the county,
this involves providing help, assistance and guidance on strategic matters,
policy directions, design and construction, business planning, project
development and funding.
With the advent of the 2012 Games, Chris's work is increasingly becoming
more geared to the establishment of Pre Games Training Camps in Kent.
Tel 01622 605004
Email: chris.metherell@kent.gov.uk
Stephanie Holt - Kent County Council's Manager for the 2012 Games
Stephanie
Holt is Kent County Council's Manager for the 2012 Games, responsible
for facilitating an overarching coordinating group of private and public
sector partners, and for supporting and driving forward the work of nine
themed working groups reporting to that coordinating group. The role of
these groups is to identify the opportunities and maximise the legacy
to Kent, from London hosting the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. A
key part of Stephanie's role is working with regional and national partners
on the 2012 agenda, influencing upwards as well as interpreting locally,
the national and regional priorities around 2012. Stephanie sits upon
the Local Government Association's 2012 Practitioner Group, and is a member
of the Community & Participation Subgroup of the South East Group
for the 2012 Games.
Following her History and International Politics degree at Lancaster University, and an early role in management for Whitbread, Stephanie worked for the Legal Services Commission, as a partnership manager with the private and public sectors, social enterprises, and the voluntary sector, to coordinate the delivery of comprehensive legal advice at all levels for members of the local communities in Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire and Norfolk. For the last four years Stephanie has worked in local government, firstly as a Cabinet Support Manager at Essex County Council, and from January 2006, in her current role at Kent County Council.
Despite the job role, Stephanie has regrettably never been an elite athlete,
but enjoys staying active, largely through Munroe bagging and conservation
breaks in the summer, and skiing in the winter.
Tel: 01622 605051
Email: stephanie.holt@kent.gov.uk
Stephen Tucker - Administrator, Kent Support Office for the 2012 Games
Stephen
works with Stephanie Holt on the Kent Campaign for the 2012 Games in an
admin and support role. Stephen's role is to help Stephanie and partners
across the county to deliver the Kent Strategy for the 2012 Games.
Tel: 01622 605052
Email: stephen.tucker@kent.gov.uk
Chris Walker - Strategic Projects Manager
Chris
is responsible for media and communications for the Service.
Chris has worked in the field of Sports Development for many years. He has an MA in Leisure and Tourism, a DMS in Management Studies for Leisure and a CMS also for Leisure. His MA and DMS dissertations included research into tourism as well as sports motivation.
He is interested in the way in which technology and social media can assist in the field of sport and active recreation. Chris web design technologies include CSS, xhtml, graphic design packages and dynamic languages including php, aspx and cfm.
Chris enjoys off-road Cycling, Swimming and a bit of Surfing when his daughters allow him time-off.
Tel: 01622 605053 Email: chris.walker@kent.gov.uk
Paul Panton - Kent Rural Disability Sportslink Officer
Paul
competed as an international Cyclist for six years as part of the GB squad.
6 national medals as track cyclist - 3 Golds, 6th place in the Junior
Worlds.
Began working as a Residential Social Worker for Emotionally Disturbed
Young People, using sport as a tool to combat behaviour.
Three years at Cascades Leisure Centre as Sportslink Officer for Gravesham
Borough Council working to coach disabled people in the leisure centre,
this was a national pilot project. Awarded 1st place in social services
competition for services to disabled people in Kent.
Worked at a day centre for people with a learning disability and people
with a severe physical and learning disability for three years promoting
sports to members.
Paul's role at the Kent Sport, Leisure & Olympic Service is to develop outdoor and rural sports for disabled
people across the County. He is, and would like to remain, very much a
hands on Officer encouraging disabled people to achieve their potential,
or just to take part.
This approach also serves to encourage and enthuse service providers to
develop new and exiting initiatives.
Tel: 01732 525433
Email: paul.panton@kent.gov.uk
Bianca Logronio - Coaching & Workforce Development Officer
Bianca
started her role as the Coaching Development Officer for the Kent Sport, Leisure & Olympics Service in October
2006, having previously worked in the same role for the Wiltshire and
Swindon Activity and Sports Partnership. Prior to that, Bianca worked
in various roles within the Lifestyle Development Team at Swindon Borough
Council for five years, primarily as the Sports Development Officer.
Bianca’s current role is to support partners in making coaching an attractive and accessible experience, and to increase the quantity and quality of coaching being delivered at all levels of sport within the county.
This involves providing advice and guidance in the employment and deployment of coaches; identifying and promoting resources and support mechanisms for coaches; and co-ordinating a programme of education, training and development for people delivering sport.
Bianca also manages the Community Sports Coach Scheme in Kent, and is the lead officer for the Standards for Safeguarding and Protecting Children in Sport.
Tel: 01622 605010
Email: bianca.logronio@kent.gov.uk
Elise Rendall - Kent Sports Development Officer
Elise
joined the Kent Sport, Leisure & Olympics Service in 2007, having previously been
a local authority Sports Development Officer since 2001.
Elise's current role is to develop sport in Kent and involves leading on a number of specific areas of activity including Performance & Excellence, and Participation with a particular emphasis on equalities work and links to health agencies and initiatives.
Projects and programmes include developing services to support talented
performers, developing links and working in partnership with health agencies
and equality groups. Elise is the lead officer for the work towards the
Equality Standard: A Framework for Sport.
Tel: 01622 605038
Email: elise.rendall@kent.gov.uk
Sheena Pitchford - Governing Body Support Manager
Sheena
joined Kent Sport, Leisure & Olympics Service in 2004 having been a Sports Development
Officer for the London Borough of Bromley since 2000.
Her role in the team is to communicate with and support Governing Bodies
of Sport to implement their plans within the county. Key areas of work
include being the first point of contact for National Governing Bodies,
supporting them to access services through the department and develop
links with local partners. She also works closely with NGBs and other
partners to help secure funding to maintain and recruit new Sports Specific
Development Officers in the County.
Sheena has line management responsibility for the Coaching & Workforce
Development Officer, Club & Volunteer Development Officer and a number
of the Sports Specific Development Officers. Sheena is also the team's
Deputy Child Welfare Officer.
Guthrie Miller - Club and Volunteer Development Officer
Guthrie
has worked at the Kent Sport, Leisure & Olympics Service since May 2003 when he
was originally employed as the Active Sports Hockey and Press Co-ordinator.
He has been in his current post since November 2006.
The role of the Club and Volunteer Development Officer is to help sports clubs be better sports clubs. Guthrie is therefore the principal contact for links with Volunteering and initiatives such as Clubmark, Club Support Funding and the Kent Club Connect Card.
Hockey is his primary sport but he is also a keen Cricketer come the summer months.
Tel: 01622 605338
Email: guthrie.miller@kent.gov.uk
Stuart Butler – Coaching and Leadership Development Officer
Stuart started at Kent Sport, Leisure & Olympics Service as Sports Leadership Co-ordinator in 2006, having previously worked for Staffordshire University Students’ Union, the Union of Brunel Students and the Guardian Media Group.
The Kent Sports Leadership Project is a multi-agency project funded by partners within Kent County Council including Kent Sport, Leisure and Olympics Service, Kent Youth Service, Kent Youth Offending Service, Kent Community Safety and Advisory Service Kent. The project also works alongside other deliverers and community partners.
Focusing on the awards and qualifications offered by Sports Leaders UK the projects purpose is to increase the number of young people and adults involved in leadership and community volunteering and increasing participation in safe sporting activities that are being organised and supported.
In 2010 Stuart also took on the responsibility of managing the Sport:ed programme which provides opportunities for coaches, teachers and others to develop and expand their knowledge and skills though a variety of workshops and programmes which are relevant to all sports. Stuart also oversees the Coach Scholarship fund which supports coaches nominated by their National Governing Bodies to undertake training that will enhance coaching within the County.
Tel: 01622 605065
Email: stuart.butler@kent.gov.uk
Andrea Murphy - Business Development Manager
Andrea
joined the Kent Sport, Leisure and Olympics Service in September 2006
and has now taken on the role of Business Development Manager. Andrea
previously worked as a Consultant for PMP, a management consultants specialising
in sport and leisure. This role involved Andrea managing a range of funding,
research, feasibility and sports development projects and she was also
responsible for monitoring and evaluating lottery funded schemes.
Andrea’s current responsibilities include managing and co-ordinating the
Sport Unlimited programme to develop opportunities for young people in
community sport, as part of the five hour offer. A further £400,000
will be available for Sport Unlimited programmes in Kent, in 2010.
Andrea also advises on other potential revenue funding opportunities,
including Sport England lottery funding, and assist schemes with successful
applications. This includes providing sports organisations with direct
assistance on funding applications where required.
Tel: 01622 605064
Email: andrea.murphy@kent.gov.uk
Natalie Harris - Kent Sports Events Officer
Natalie
Harris joined the team in September 2007 as Kent County Council's Kent
School Games Co-ordinator, responsible for the implementation of a successful
biennial Kent School Games in 2008 and 2010 and associated school sports
events and to ensure that the Kent School Games link to and support an
emerging framework for competitive school sport at county, district and
local level.
Natalie has a degree in the Sociology of Sport and Leisure with PE and over four years experience of working in Sports Development. Previously Natalie had worked with the Sports, Play and Youth Development Team at Maidstone Borough Council, working her way up from Sports, Administration and Finance Assistant, through to the Sports and Play Development Officer before commencing her role with Kent County Council.
A club Golfer and league Netball player Natalie's passion for sport extends further than just the workplace through both participating and volunteering.
Tel: 01622 605440
Email: natalie.harris@kent.gov.uk
Russell Fairman - Research and Communications Officer
Russell
joined the Kent Sport, Leisure & Olympics Service after 10 years of providing sporting, events and training
opportunities for young people within the voluntary and public sector
at local, regional and national level.
Russell's current role includes supporting the establishment and development of Community Sports Networks in each district of Kent. Community Sports Networks aim to bring together local organisations from the public, private and voluntary sector who share an interest in sport. They form a vital part of Sport England's Delivery System for Sport. Russell will also be providing a research and analysis function for the Unit, including interpreting the 'sport data jigsaw' (i.e. Active People, Active Places, etc.) for local partners.
Tel: 01622 605058
Email: russell.fairman@kent.gov.uk
