Edition number 1; dateline 1 September 2009
Who’s whom
Tom Halsey is joining UK Sport as its first ever commercial partnerships manager with a brief to manage all sponsor relations in the development of the new Team 2012 commercial sponsorship initiative. Heather Moir is leaving her post as marketing and communications manager at sportscoach UK to return to ‘proper sports development’ as regional manager for the Football Association in the East. Sam Bond has joined SHOKK in the role of national trainer focusing on strength conditioning. Sir Ian Johnston has been appointed as the director of security and resilience for London 2012 after 44 years in the police service, including an eight-year term as chief constable of British Transport Police. Rebecca Adlington is to become the face of British Gas in a four year deal “conceived and negotiated by Carat Sponsorship as part of their management of British Gas’ sponsorship of swimming”. Great Britain Wheelchair Rugby has appointed New Zealander Naomi O’Reilly to the post of national team manager/assistant coach. Dean Richards has left his position as Harlequins RFC director of rugby.
Who’s looking for whom
The happy ship that is Snowsports GB is looking for a skipper – or more prosaically a chief executive – who needs a very particular skillset: “specifically, the candidate must… have proven skills in the areas of financial control, fundraising, performance management, crisis management and conflict resolution.” Individuals from either a sports development or project management background could become a women's regional cricket development manager in the South and West or even the Midlands if they speak nicely to the England and Wales Cricket Board. A man called Luke, who can be found at lukequalitycoaches@hotmail.com, is looking for a head coach to “head up all sports activities at a primary school in the south London area. The sports activities will range from playtime activities, delivering PE, afterschool clubs and organising school teams and competitions.” The Samoa International Cricket Association, the elite body responsible for governing the sport of cricket within Samoa, is looking for a general manager and will negotiate on salary, and presumably travel expenses. North Lanarkshire Council will pay up to £33,594 pa for an enthusiastic and self-motivated individual to be their projects and partnerships development officer. All of England’s 49 county sports partnerships are going to be recruiting coaching development managers at a variety of salaries and we think a facility with tick box check-sheet development will be required. There are a slew of community volleyball coach positions available; ditto cycling-related jobs. SportScotland needs two computer software developers at £33,000 pa in Glasgow and what looks like an outdoor pursuits work experience person for a year at their Glenmore mountain fastness. And the Amateur Swimming Association is after a co-ordinator “to spread the philosophy and message of the government’s free swimming initiative as widely as possible” in Cornwall. Mexico Rugby is looking for a coach who must be over 27 and know something about soon-to-be-Olympic-sport rugby sevens. The package includes a medium-sized flat in Mexico City near training field and economy car to use. The DCMS is inviting applications from people who want to be honorary board members of the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council. Adelaide Fringe Inc needs a director with the knowledge, skills and experience to manage the world’s second-largest fringe festival. Ability to get by in Strine an advantage? London 2012 is seeking an outstanding and dedicated communications officer for whom the pay would be £25,000 pa. Any passionate team player with good communication skills and a bachelor degree in marketing or relevant industry sector might like to consider becoming marketing manager for revered brand London Wasps.
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the people page
comings, goings and a personal spotlight
Spotlight: Duncan Wood-Allum
Current position
Director of consulting at Capita Symonds until 30 September, then director of the Sport, Leisure and Culture Consultancy
Your biggest challenge over the next twelve months?
I'm taking a year off to establish the Sport, Leisure and Culture Consultancy. In that year I'll visit New Zealand, USA, Canada and Korea, learning as much as possible along the way from conferences, study tours and meeting organisations involved in the sector. If I come back refreshed, inspired and with some great new ideas to share with the sector I'll have succeeded.
Which job within the sport, leisure and culture sector would you most like to do?
The one I'm just about to do.
Who or what has inspired you in your career?
Steve Hawker at Horsham District Council was a brilliant boss in my early years in facility management.
Peter Mann was the reason I chose consulting as a career ten years ago. Jonathan Goring, MD of Capita Symonds, has taught me the power of just being yourself. Martyn Allison has provided me with a real belief in our sector and the potential it has to improve people's lives. My dad, Keith, who died last year, inspires me every day – an amazing man.
What advice would you offer to a young person entering this industry?
Only spend 2-3 years in one role; keeping moving and learning as you progress. Speak to as many people in the sector that you can along the way; relationships are everything. Find a mentor, someone you admire to support you in your career development. Think big!
Which single thing could improve the sector?
One body representing all culture and sport sectors to engage with government.
What could the sector do without?
Personal agendas impacting negatively on community benefit.
Where do you hope to be in ten years time?
On top of a mountain with a smile on my face with a very successful business making a difference to quality of people's lives.
