Welsh Gymnastics Add New Directors To Board

Welsh Gymnastics have announced the appointment of three new non-executive directors (NEDs) to its board – with a fourth joining in January 2021.

Dean Williams, Christopher McLarnon and Mark Petherick have taken up roles as independent board members, with Melissa Anderson joining them early next year.

They join existing members Barbara Beedham, Sally Church, Dr Lisa Gannon and Tracey Singlehurst-Ward on the board, which is chaired by Bev Smith.

Williams is an executive coach for senior leaders in business as well as being co-founder of The Business Coaching Academy and Leading Energy Profile Ltd.

An author of three leadership books, he has also served on the boards of a leading children’s charity and a non-league football club.

He said: “I am delighted to have secured my first NED role on the board of Welsh Gymnastics – taking responsibility to govern the sport across Wales, maintain and grow a participative environment across the communities and, of course, help enable the elite gymnasts to thrive.

 

Welsh Gymnastics would like to welcome new Non-Executive Directors @dwecintouch, Christopher McLarnon and Mark Petherick on to its Board – with @manders_melissa joining in January.

Full story – plus news of a new technical director – here: https://t.co/NYPO7MywM7@lisagannonuk pic.twitter.com/Jm8ApI25xE

— Welsh Gymnastics (@WelshGymnastics) October 6, 2020

“I am ready to play my part in line with the board responsibilities, including helping create and lead a response to the pandemic challenges that have impacted the sport.”

McLarnon’s background is in project, programme and portfolio delivery excellence within the defence, intelligence and financial service sectors.

A formal Naval officer, he said:“I will be helping Welsh Gymnastics exploit current and future technologies to make the organisation a pioneer in digital collaboration and communication.”

Petherick brings over 20 years’ experience in business management, governance, marketing and event management.

He is also a former Welsh international gymnast at both junior and senior level.

He said: “I’m looking forward to working alongside and supporting a great and successful team.”

 

Our award winning gymnastics classes for boys and girls age 2+ are back and as popular as ever!

Find out more and register now via the link below: https://t.co/OyHtgmZ88W

We have spaces available in Crumlin, Pontypool and Cwmbran at the current time @TorfaenLeisureT pic.twitter.com/5fXBqSJiKf

— Valleys Gymnastics (@VGAGymnastics) October 6, 2020

Anderson, who will join the board in January, is managing director of the award-winning Valleys Gymnastics Academy, where she also coaches.

She is also a board member of Merthyr Leisure Trust – Wellbeing @Merthyr – and is a former lecturer at Cardiff Metropolitan University.

“I’m very thankful and excited to have this opportunity,” she said.

“I’ve been involved in gymnastics all of my life and it’s a great opportunity to continue making a contribution to the sport I love – and be able to give back in a different way as well at a more strategic level.”

Meanwhile long-serving technical director and Welsh Gymnastics stalwart Andrew Morris has come to the end of his tenure on the board, with education director Dr Lisa Gannon stepping up to become education/technical director.