Who we are
The SGA is a unique partnership between The Chartered Governance Institute UK & Ireland and Sport England. The Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity are a strategic partner, providing a vital link with the sector. We also work closely with UK Sport, ensuring that our resources and services meet the needs of the full range of sports organisations across the nation.
Details of our governance structure and people can be found on this page.
SGA Programme Board
The Programme Board brings together senior colleagues from Sport England, The Chartered Governance Institute UK & Ireland and The Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity.
The Board provides strategic oversight for the SGA, monitoring performance and ensuring that the Academy meets the needs of the sector.
Co-Chairs
- Cynthia Mora-Spencer, Head of Secretariat, The Chartered Governance Institute UK & Ireland
- Jeanette Bain-Burnett, Executive Director of Policy & Integrity, Sport England
Programme Board members
- Tara Dillon, Chief Executive, Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity
- Emma Farlow, Senior Governance Advisor, UK Sport
- Neil Newman, Commercial Director, The Chartered Governance Institute, UK & Ireland
- James Owens, Head of Governance, People & Ethics, Sport Wales
- Chris Robison, Lead Manager, sportscotland
- Lynsey Tweddle, Strategic Lead, Governance, Sport England
- Ian Weir, Sports, Culture & Integrity Manager, Sport Northern Ireland
SGA Management Team
The Management Team is responsible for the planning, delivery and day-to-day running of the SGA.
- Craig Beeston, SGA Programme Manager, The Chartered Governance Institute UK & Ireland
- Sam Green-Armytage, SGA Operations Officer, The Chartered Governance Institute UK & Ireland
- Lucy Valerio, Head of Governance (Support), Sport England
The Institute's SGA Team works closely with governance leads at each of the Sports Councils:
- Emma Farlow, Senior Governance Advisor, UK Sport
- Lorna Callan, Partnership Manager, sportscotland
- Colin Atkinson, Sport Developer, Sport Northern Ireland
- Neil Emberton, Governance, Ethics & Integrity Lead, Sport Wales
SGA Advisory Group
The Group is a practitioner-led forum that provides the SGA with expertise from across the sport and physical activity sector, advising on service development and delivery.
- David Abrahams, Chair, Athletics NI
- Andrew Baptie, Head of Club Services & Governance, Scottish Golf
- Adam Blaze, Chief Executive, Activity Alliance
- Rachel Cairns, Operations Manager, Irish Athletic Boxing Association
- Dawn Cole, Finance Director, StreetGames
- Colin Dyer, CEO, Special Olympics Great Britain
- Jennie Goodman, Director of Business Services, The Football Foundation
- Lara Gregson, Head of Operations, Scottish Gymnastics
- Philippa Hearnden, Governance Development Officer, Sport Wales
- John Hunter, Director of Operations, Community Sports Network
- Caroline Jackman, Governance Officer, UK Coaching
- Jane Kracke, Chief Operating Officer, Together Active
- Tim Lawler MBE, Chief Executive, SportsAid
- Richard McDermott, Company Secretary, The FA Group
- Ruth Miller, Business Planning Manager, British Cycling
- Brett Nicholls, Chief Executive Officer, Get Berkshire Active
- Judith Rankin, National Manager - Northern Ireland, Sported
- Kay Simnett, Chief Operating Officer, CIMSPA
- Caroline Spanton, CEO, Welsh Cycling
- Nancy Squires, Director of Governance, British Canoeing
- Wendy Stead, Director of Finance, Governance & Business Operations, Archery GB
- Maggie Still, CEO, Scottish Squash
- Karen Watkinson, Governance Manager, Angling Trust and Fish Legal
- Jason Wiltshire, Head of Legal & Governance, England Hockey
- Pamela Woodman, Head of Legal, Lawn Tennis Association
