Our mentors have an incredible wealth of lived and professional experience of working to tackle inequalities in sport and physical activity. They know what it takes to make a difference, overcome challenges and make change happen at all levels and across all parts of the system.
Our mentors commit their time, on a voluntary basis, to support other leaders that are looking for help and guidance to advance their work on tackling inequalities. They offer both practical and emotional support to their mentees, helping them to build their confidence, enhance their knowledge and understanding and grow as leaders. They work as allies and advocates and use a combination of techniques including conversation, reflective practice and connecting their mentees to wider opportunities.
Here you can find more about our mentors, including who they are, what they do, their motivations and the benefits they get from mentoring.
Our mentors
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Farah Ahmed
Non-Executive Director, Active Black Country
"I feel a great sense of pride and privilege being able to share my journey and knowledge knowing it could help a fellow mentee."
![Farah Ahmed]()
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Jill Atkins-Mackley
Director, Olympia Consultancy
"[I want] to support and develop individuals with their personal development using the experience and knowledge gained throughout my own career."
![Jill Atkins Mackley]()
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Harry Cade
Director of Children, Young People and Inclusion, Energize STW
"[I want] to help others by utilising and sharing my experience and knowledge. [I'm looking] to build new relationships and continue my own learning from others."
![Harry Cade]()
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Jessica Capelli Beaven
EEDI Manager, UK Coaching
"[Being a mentor means] adapting and flexing my mentoring style. Practicing deep listening."
![Jessica Capelli Beavan]()
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Nigel Donohue
Performance Consultant, Nigel Donohue Performance Consultancy
"The enjoyment of being able to help and support another person, pass on my knowledge and share experiences [are key benefits]."
![Nigel Donohue]()
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Anna Fedorchuk
Head of Project, Supernovas
"Mentoring has allowed me to learn from diverse perspectives, deepen my self-awareness and see the collective power of sport to inspire positive change."
![Anna Fedorchuk]()
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Jason Fergus
Director, Active Essex
"I wanted to be a mentor on this programme because I know how much guidance shaped my own journey and I want to give others the same support and confidence to thrive."
![Jason Fergus]()
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Simon Gerrard
CEO, Lancashire Football Association
"Mentoring gives me the chance to share that lived experience [as a neurodiverse leader] and help others activate change with confidence and authenticity."
![Simon Gerrard]()
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James Hartley
Strategic Lead - Creating Active Lives, You've Got This, Sport England Place Partnership for South Tees
"[I want to be a mentor] to provide advice and guidance to anyone engaging in place-based systemic working."
![James Hartley]()
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Lara Hayward
Coaching Lead, English National Ballet
"I love supporting others with their development and think the mentor/mentee relationship can be a great learning experience for both parties."
![Lara Hayward]()
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Lee Hemmings
CEO, Fight for Peace
"[Mentoring has] helped cement and refine my own ideas through meaningful conversations with others tackling similar challenges across the sector."
![Lee Hemmings]()
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Craig Hobbs
Senior Lecturer, Researcher and Chair, University of Greater Manchester
"[Mentee] insights have positively challenged my assumptions, enriched my understanding of leadership methods... and expanded my perspective."
![Craig Hobbs]()
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Chris Jones
CEO, England Athletics
"Mentoring was fundamental in the early stages of my career... mentors can provide a fresh perspective to considerations, challenges and opportunities that you can face."
![Chris Jones]()
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Halima Khan
Health and Inclusion Lead, Parkrun
"[The benefit of mentoring is to] support others on their journey of understanding how to engage with diverse audiences with an inclusive leadership approach."
![Halima Khan]()
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Marcus Kingswell
COO, Skateboard GB
"[Mentoring provides] a chance to stop, reflect and take on board someone else's wisdom."
![Marcus Kingwell]()
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Alan Lane
Area Lead, Table Tennis England
"Every conversation reminds me that leadership isn't about having all the answers - it's about listening, learning and creating opportunities for others to shine."
![Alan Lane]()
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Tim Lawler MBE
CEO, SportsAid
"The most enduring impact of sport lies in access, belonging and the power of inclusive leadership, which is why I've [become] a mentor."
![Tim Lawler]()
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Tom McIntosh
Operations Director, Sport Birmingham
"I enjoy helping other recognise their strengths, overcome challenges and see possibilities they hadn't considered before."
![Tom Mcintosh]()
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Shelley Meyern
COO, EMD UK
"[Mentoring] helps another individual to problem solve and gives them some more tools they can use in their day-to-day work to help them achieve their goals."
![Shelley Meyern]()
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Mary-Ann Price
People Director, England Golf
"I'm passionate about helping others grow and I believe sharing my own experiences... can make a real difference in supporting people to create positive change."
![Mary Anne Price]()
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Brendon Pyle
CEO, The Golf Foundation
"[I'm] keen to support young talented professionals in our industry... and to apply 30 years of Sports Development experience."
![Brendon Pyle]()
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Debbie Ryan
Managing Director, The People Equation
"I am passionate about enabling others to grow and thrive, and I welcome the opportunity to use my skills and experience to support and encourage [mentees]."
![Debbie Ryan]()
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Damien Smith
Director of Operations, North Yorkshire Sport
"[I want] to support others in the system dealing with similar challenges and opportunities and to pass on a positive mentoring experience."
![Damien Smith]()
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Damian Stevenson
Founder, DS Insight
"Mentoring is a fantastic way of expanding your network and allows mentees to have thinking time and psychological space away from the day-to-day role."
![Damian Stevenson]()
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Ericka Williams
Disability Access Officer, Manchester United
"Mentoring has been incredibly rewarding. I've learnt from my mentees, grown personally and felt proud to play a small part in their development."
![Ericka Williams]()
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Andy Wright
Director, Axis Consultancy Services Ltd
"As a qualified coach and mentor with 40 years experience in the leisure sector I wanted to give something back to future leaders."
![Andy Wright]()
Interested in accessing mentoring?
If you're from a Sport England System Partner organisation and think you could benefit from mentoring please get in touch.
Volunteer as a mentor
We're continually looking for leaders to join our team of mentors and volunteer to support their colleagues. If you're keen to use your experience to inspire, motivate and help those who'd benefit from more support, please get in touch.
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