Edition number 15; dateline 3 December 2010
Who’s whom
As Christmas hoves into view these lucky people will be hanging their stockings on a new fireplace:
World champion swimmer Katy Sexton has been appointed as an ambassador by the Swimming Teachers Association; with Paddy Corcoran due to retire Ian Donley steps into the role of managing director at leisure trust Tees Valley Leisure; PE Contracts have recently appointed Taliesin Selley as their new business manager; German former race rider Jens Zemke will join High Road Sports' team of international sports directors in 2011.
Who’s looking for whom
And these organisations will be adding elves to their workforce:
The Trinity Laban Conservatoire of music and dance is in the market for a graphic designer at £26,000;as are British Cycling only they are paying slightly less; Wasps rugby club and Wycombe Wanderers football club share a ground, an owner and the need for a head of communications at their Adams Park ground; the Institute of Swimming are recruiting both a quality officer and a resource development officer; recruitment has started for the upcoming Commonwealth Games and Glasgow 2014 need a £70k director of games family relationships and protocol; the Original Bowling Company seek the services of an assistant manager for their Glasgow site at £18,000 pa; someone seeking a role which offers “a genuine opportunity to make a real difference to customer service levels, whilst at the same time, improving operational efficiency in a customer focused NGB, committed to growing participation in athletics from grass roots upwards and to improving the standards of performance at all levels” should ring England Athletics about their head of customer services vacancy; and Suffolk Football Association are advertising for a referees development officer.
the people page
comings, goings, jobs and a personal spotlight
Spotlight: Louise McGreal
What is your current position?
Head of human resources for Oldham Community Leisure Limited, an industrial and provident society which manages the leisure provision within the Oldham Borough.
Biggest challenge over the next twelve months?
The biggest challenge will be convincing customers to invest in their own health improvement through sport, health and fitness.
Apart from the one you currently have, which job within sport and leisure sector would you most like to do?
I would like to be a volunteer at the 2012 Olympics, to be a part of the history and the legacy of this special event.
Who or what has inspired you in your career?
Ian Kendall (Oldham Community Leisure chief executive) has inspired me in my career, showing me that forward planning and the setting of targets can be particularly positive in improving an organisation. For example, the implementation of sickness monitoring in OCLL has helped to reduce sickness absence from 6% to 2%, a previous staff survey showed that only 1% of staff would return to council employment if given the chance and the implementation of 60 new jobs over the past three years, which are all self-financing, really demonstrate how forward planning and setting of targets can have positive benefits.
What advice would you offer to a young person entering the industry?
My advice would be to gain relevant experience as well as qualifications. When choosing an employer individuals should look for those who value continuous professional development and are willing to invest in training and development. The Investors in People accreditation is a good indication of this.
Which single thing could improve the sector?
Employers, training providers and professional bodies working more closely. This could be done by ensuring that agendas are more closely aligned. Working together as one, rather than as different sectors, could bring about a positive change to improve the sport, health and fitness industry, resulting in an improved quality of life and enjoyment for more individuals.
What could the sector do without?
People who lack vision. The sector needs people who are able to develop themselves, challenge current practice and implement the necessary changes to move forward flexibly and adapt to the changing requirements of the sector.
Where do you hope to be in ten years time?I hope to be a HR director in a medium- to large-sized leisure trust or health improvement organisation or an assistant chief executive with responsibility for human resources in a leisure trust.
