Edition number 19; dateline 3 May 2011
Who’s whom:
Following the prevailing nuptial theme these people have entered into arranged marriages professing love but probably doing it for the money:
Laura Bower has been appointed business development manager by the Swimming Teachers' Association; director of the Dresden state art collections, Martin Roth, has been appointed to the post of director of the Victoria and Albert Museum; Chloe Morley has been appointed youth sport officer at Derbyshire Sport, having previously been their senior competition manager; after 16 months in post as executive director David Stalker has been appointed as chief executive of the Fitness Industry Association with the remit to deliver their three-year strategy; Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art senior curator Philip Long has been announced as the director of a new Victoria and Albert museum to be developed on Dundee's waterfront; Mia Kyricos has become vice president of corporate wellness at Core Performance; Amanresorts International have appointed Greg Payne to the post of spa operations director; the Olympic Park Legacy Company (OPLC) has “revealed” that it has appointed Clive Little as its new director of events and programming; Natalie Shaw has joined British Orienteering as participation manager; Boris Johnson has merged Visit London, Think London and Study London to form London and Partners and appointed Dame Judith Mayhew Jonas as interim chair, Kevin Murphy of ExCel and Grant Hearn of Travelodge as board members and Danny Lopez as interim chief executive; Phil Basterfield is now school sport development officer at Swanwick Sports College; hard on the heels of the news that New Zealand Football has been awarded a NZ Sport and Recreation Award for its Whole of Football Plan comes the news that they have employed a new man to deliver it in Grant McKavanagh; and for those of you who do not know, Martyn Allison, currently national adviser on culture and sport at Local Government Improvement & Development (LGID) has announced his intention to seek challenges and roles elsewhere in the sector and will be leaving LGID at the end of June for pastures new and as yet unspecified.
Who’s looking for whom
And these people are still looking for their Miss Right-You’ll-Do-My-Gran’s-Been-Moaning:
Great Big Events are advertising for showcallers in Manchester (no we don’t know either); the Royal Court Theatre need a front-of-house manager; Birmingham-based rugby club Moseley RFC have advertised for a head coach but have been candid, if contrary, in stating that “head coaches have rarely been recruited from outside the club”; the FA are looking to recruit four national coach educators; in order to cope with the extra work caused by the axing of the UK Film Council the British Film Institute now need a deputy chief executive whom they will pay £112,000 per year; the National Trust are looking for a leader to take their offer into cities in the role of urban programme coordinator; Appledore Arts in Devon have £20,000 pa pro rata to entice an experienced, highly motivated and enthusiastic director down west; and Everyone Active at Hucknall Leisure Centre are looking for a “world famous membership sales manager”.
the people page
comings, goings, jobs and a personal spotlight
Spotlight: Emma Phipps
What is your current position?
Assistant head of operations for the Institute of Swimming, the training arm for the Amateur Swimming Association.
What will be your biggest challenge over the next twelve months?
The ASA/ IoS have a very clear vision to be the biggest and best training provider of swimming teachers and coaches in England and the premier provider of all ASA’s courses. In order for us to do this we need to ensure we are at the forefront of teacher and coach learning and development.
Apart from your current post, which job within sport and leisure sector would you most like to do?
I am always being told I talk far too much so maybe a sports commentator would best suit my skills.
Who or what has inspired you in your career?
I come from a teaching and learning background so education has always been really important to me. I have been lucky to have some really inspirational tutors and teachers throughout my learning journey and it is important to me to make sure all our learners have the same kind of experiences.
What advice would you offer to a young person entering the industry?
My advice to anyone entering the industry is ensure you have a flexible approach to your career and take every learning opportunity available. Employers are looking for a multi-skilled individual that can work across their pool and gym environments. With this in mind it is paramount that you have the ability to use your skills and knowledge to not only delivery the leisure specific requirements but deliver the highest level of customer service at the same time.
Which single thing could improve the sector?
The sector could be improved by investment in staff to retain them in the profession and reduce the level of turnover. We have some excellent staff within our sector and it is vital that we retain them and continually improve their skills through education and training.
What could the sector do without?
Multiple qualifications that do the same job. Within the industry we have two of everything at differing quality and price which is very confusing for customers.
Where do you hope to be in ten years time?
I really enjoy working for a national governing body and love the fast pace environment of education so would like to stay within swimming and sit within the senior management structure as head of operations or workforce development.
