Dear Colleagues
Having stepped into my role as Chair of CSSC following the AGM in June, I am delighted to now be able to introduce our new Board members. Their tenure began on 6 November, with our first Board meeting taking place at our head office in High Wycombe.
Having dedicated my career to building strong, member-focused organisations and driving positive change through strategic leadership, I am particularly excited to work alongside this exceptional group of individuals. My experience in delivering sustainable growth, enhancing customer engagement, and fostering innovation across various financial institutions has reinforced my belief in the power of strong governance and collaborative leadership principles that will be central to CSSC's future growth.
In 2023, the CSSC leadership team, together with the Board, undertook a bold initiative to enhance our governance structure for the next century of our organisation. This led to a comprehensive renewal of our Board composition, aimed at bringing together individuals with diverse skills and experiences that align with our strategic ambitions.
The selection process was rigorous and thorough, attracting 121 high-calibre candidates from across business, volunteering, and commercial sectors. After careful evaluation and consideration, 18 candidates were interviewed, leading to the selection of seven exceptional individuals who bring the perfect blend of expertise, vision, and commitment to CSSC's values.
Max Barnett brings 14 years of extensive experience in the Digital/Data sector with a particular focus on digital transformation and leveraging data for strategic insights. His experience of strategy and commercial executive experience aligns closely with our current strategic objectives of personalising the member experience and driving digital transformation within CSSC. Max is currently the Commercial Strategy Lead, leading a team of commercial and solution consultants to enable sports properties to invest and innovate in digital transformation with confidence.
Elaine Benn has over 13 years at delivering customer excellence and efficiency in nationwide public services at Director and Board level. She helped form the HMRC Customer Experience Committee, recruiting industry experts to deliver service improvements through major transformation projects. Elaine is currently Vice Chair of CSSC, Chair of the Volunteer Committee and previously served as Chair of the Appointments Committee. Her exceptional experience and stakeholder management experience provides a welcome and needed continuity to the Board of CSSC.
Sarah Homer is an experienced Board Director with over 20 years’ experience of operating across the public and private sector including as Director General and NED within several Civil Service Departments. She also has extensive global commercial experience working at Board and Chief Executive level within the private sector with global financial companies (such as American Express and Goldman Sachs). Sarah’s broad and extensive experience of strategic leadership, governance, risk management, leading services and change in a challenging stakeholder and delivery system environment will enhance the Board’s collective expertise.
Andi Jarvis is an experienced Marketing and Communications Director. With over 18 years in the industry, he is an award-winning marketing strategy professional and business owner. His career highlights include the repositioning of several traditional brands to build market share and profitability. Andi has also held Independent Trustee roles within the Sports Industry and his commitment to member-focused and sustainable long-term growth is particularly relevant as we continue to face competitive and market pressures.
Tracey Orr is an experienced Non-Executive Director with over 10 years of experience of similar governance roles in organisations of comparable complexity, marking her well-versed in the fiduciary responsibilities of a NED. She has a strong commercial background in strategic development, change management, people management, oversight of digital and technological strategies. Tracey’s commercial and leadership experience in these key areas will be an asset to our governance framework.
Katie Simmonds demonstrated a strong understanding of governance, sports law and alignment with the values that underpin our mutual/membership model and partnership working. She recently worked as Global Chief Operating Officer of a global sports alliance organisation playing an active role in expanding their membership base across five stakeholder groups ranging from governments, sports organisation and civil society. Katie’s ability to develop and maintain mutually beneficial relationships will be invaluable to CSSC at this time.
Phil Smith is a senior business executive with over 25 years leadership experience across the sports industry. He is currently Executive Director of Partnerships for a national sports body. A strategic thinker with oversight of the some of the key issues in the sport and physical activity sector in the UK, including governance, EDI, community engagement and investment. Being responsible for both the participation and strategic growth of Sport in the UK at all levels, Phil is well placed to help lead the paradigm shift needed within CSSC in relation to sport and sport development.
To ensure a smooth transition and maintain continuity, we are fortunate to have Simon Letts continuing as our Honorary Treasurer, and Devi Verdi maintaining her crucial leadership of our ED&I initiatives at Board level. Additionally, Ian Campbell and Sam Guilding from the outgoing Board, have graciously agreed to serve as Continuity Mentors to the new Board during the first six months of transition.
Finally we are pleased to announce that Jo Parry will become our the first Boardroom Apprentice in CSSC’s history.
Jo Parry is currently a Deputy Director within a government department and joined the civil service 15 years ago. She has taken on a range of policy, project delivery and strategic roles in the several government departments including the Department for Culture Media and Sport, HM Treasury and the Cabinet Office. She served as private secretary to two Secretaries of State and also has local government experience. Prior to working in government, Jo briefly taught in a women’s prison while caring for her mum but started postgraduate life as a broadcast journalist – producing and delivering speech radio content across local and national networks. She enjoys tennis, dance, yoga, qi gong, theatre and film in her spare time
I want to express our profound gratitude to all our previous Board members who have served CSSC with remarkable dedication and distinction. Their contributions have been invaluable in bringing us to where we are today, and I know they join me in welcoming this new chapter in CSSC's journey.
Looking ahead, I am confident that the diverse skills, experiences, and perspectives represented on our new Board will enable us to drive innovation, enhance member value, and guide CSSC successfully into its next century of service.
Please join me in welcoming our new Board members as we embark on this exciting journey together.
Yours faithfully
Iain Kirkpatrick
Chair, CSSC
