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Suffolk Sport Board Members
Professor Bill Tancred MBE - Chairman
I am from Felixstowe and although I have been resident in Sheffield these past 25 years, I intend to move back to the town later this year.
I have served in the Army,firstly with the 1st East Anglian Regiment and then with the Army Physical Training Corps. After military service, I attended Loughborough College for Teacher Training, Loughborough University for a Masters degree in Human biology and then another masters degree by research, in Physical Education. Later on, with a N.A.T.O. Fellowship, I studied for a doctorate in Sports Management in the United States.
I have taught and lectured in schools, colleges, polytechnics and universities, to include being Director of Physical Education and Sport at Sheffield University and Professor of Sports Studies at Buckinghamshire Chiltern University College. Furthermore, I have written several books, published numerous articles and presented papers at conferences in subjects relating to human sports performance, health related fitness and coaching.
In sport and in particular athletics, I have served on several committees to include being Chairman of the International Athletes`Club and President of Sheffield University`s World Student Games Directorate.
As a performer, I have represented Great Britain at the 1968 and 1972 Olympic Games in athletics [discus event], 1966, 1970 [bronze] and 1974 [silver] Commonwealth Games, 1966, 1969 and 1971 European Championships. I represented Great Britain 55 times and held the British discus record for 25 years. After competitive athletics, I became an National event coach to the British Amatuer Athletics Board [BAAB] and presently, coach and lecture on behalf of UKAthletics and the International Association of Athletics Federations[IAAF].
I was awarded an MBE in 1992 for services to athletics.
Andy Wright
I was born in Nottingham and moved to Suffolk a year ago. Since studying for a Honours Degree at North Staffordshire Polytechnic in Sport and Recreation Studies I have worked for over twenty years for local government around the Country. Initially focusing on Leisure Services I have experience of managing leisure facilities, sports development, arts development and countryside and open space. More recently I have gained experience of managing Economic Development and Housing Services.
In my earlier days I played semi professional football and representative cricket for Lancashire at schoolboy level. I keep active today through sailing, tennis and some coaching of young people.
Elspeth Gibson
Elspeth lives in Saxmundham and works as a Senior Strategy Manager with Healthy Ambitions, helping to make Suffolk the healthiest county in the UK. With a 30 year career in NHS, Local Authority and voluntary sector, Elspeth has led county services for adults with disabilities; developed new social enterprises and more recently become a significant contributor to the Public Health agenda in Suffolk.
She is committed to reducing health and social inequalities in the county and joins the Suffolk Sport Board with a wide range of experience and enthusiasm to contribute to the objectives.
As a regular runner, swimmer and cyclist, Elspeth finds the time to keep fit as well as being a mother and full time employee of Suffolk County Council. In a volunteer capacity, Elspeth is liaison ranger with Sustrans, the UK’s largest sustainable transport charity.
Tony Bass
Originally from the northwest, I have worked in local authority leisure management for 26 years, the last 13 being in West Suffolk as the Head of Leisure Services for Forest Heath District Council. I have been involved with Suffolk Sport since its original inception and through its establishment as Suffolk’s County Sports Partnership.
My current work is as Chief Executive of Anglia Community Leisure. This is a new charitable company/leisure trust, established to provide community based leisure and cultural services. The trust has just secured its first contract to manage the leisure facilities on behalf of Forest Heath District Council.
A keen sportsman, most frequently playing hockey and tennis for my local teams, with ski-ing as an annual event and golf not much more.
Married with 2 children, the family sees Suffolk as their long term home
Chris Slemmings
Brought up and educated in London. Moved to Felixstowe thirty years ago. A career in engineering has given management experience in process, FMCG, mass-production and engineer to order environments.
Elected to Suffolk Coastal and Felixstowe councils some sixteen years ago. Currently a cabinet member at SCDC.
Sporting and leisure interests over the years have included sailing, tennis and the Scout movement. Still training and an occasional participant in swimming, road-running and triathlon events, albeit as an age group competitor.
Richard Hunt
I am Head of Service Development for Culture Sport and Communities with Suffolk County Council. I have a broad strategic remit covering culture, sport, tourism and Suffolk’s 2012 Olympic and Paralympic programme, and broader responsibilities including the partnership for older people, and community development programmes.
My local government career spans some 18 years, working operationally and strategically at both district and county council level, and nationally with the Local Government Association (LGA) with a focus on education, cultural and social policy.
Outside of the day job, I am currently the Vice Chair of CLOA, Chair of the National Culture Forum, and a member of the DCMS Cultural Improvement Project Management Board.
I have recently taken on the additional role of Director for Culture First, a culture and sport improvement network for local government.
Gordon Blake
After 2 years service in the Royal Military Police, I served as a police constable in the Ipswich Borough Police for 8 years. I then became, for the next 35 years, full time general secretary of Crane (Ipswich) Sports Club, one of the biggest industrial club and sports facilities in Suffolk.
I have been involved with football as an administrator and referee for over 50 years. I spent 20 years as Honorary Treasurer of Suffolk County FA and am now a Director, Life Member and President. From 1969 to 1988 I was chairman of the Ipswich Sunday Football League and have been President since 1993.
In Tennis, I served on the Ipswich & District Lawn Tennis League from 1962 and have been President since 2006. I am a Life Member of Suffolk LTA and a Past Chairman. I have also been a Tennis Referee since 1978 starting with the Framlingham Tournament and Suffolk Championships that year. I now also officiate at Frinton, Tunbridge Wells and other events.
Roland Bee
I was born in Lincolnshire and moved to Suffolk for the first time in 1969. Then, via Norfolk, London and Hertfordshire I finally moved back to settle in Suffolk in 1996.
My first career was as a chemist, my second as regular aircrew in the RAF and my third was as a local government officer (six years as a Chief Officer). Then, armed with a Masters degree in Management, professional qualifications in HR and Administration I set up an HR and Learning Consultancy in 1985. I now contribute to this business on a part-time basis.
Early sports enthusiasm was fostered in the RAF and while there I acted as Secretary to the Cadastrian League (East Anglia’s RAF regional football league) and gained my FA Preliminary Coaches badge. My other sporting ‘passion’ was for squash – I played competitively from 1960 to 2000 (as a ‘vintage’ competitor) and gained my SRA Elementary Coaches badge in the late 1970’s. I am a supporter of Ipswich Town FC.
I am the Co-author (with my wife) of a number of books in the management/HR/learning and development field.
Neil Anthony
I spent my schooldays in South London, where I enjoyed participating in sport and competing for the County in Athletics and Hockey. I completed a Sports Degree at Nonington College of Physical Education.
My career started with Arun District Council, Leisure Services Department, where I completed a Diploma in Management Studies. I moved to undertake a Sports Centres Manager’s role with Ipswich Borough Council. After a period abroad I was appointed as General Manager of Lynnsport and Leisure Park in Kings Lynn, and completed a Masters Degree. In 1997 I joined St Edmundsbury Council as Assistant Director of Leisure, being appointed Head of Leisure Services in 2004.
I am still a keen marathon runner, and spend much of my time as a taxi driver for my 3 children as they participate in a range of sporting activities across the county.
Other board members are Terry Clements, Nicki Mayhew a sport england representative.
If you would be interested in joining the board when a position becomes available please contact John Clough, Director of Suffolk Sport at john.clough@suffolksport.com
