sportH.E

In this conversation, Catherine Baker shares her journey from being a sporty child to a successful career in law and leadership. She discusses the importance of sport in building community and belonging, her transition from law to leadership, and the lessons learned throughout her career. Catherine also delves into her book, 'Staying the Distance', highlighting key themes such as confidenc...

In this insightful interview, Mark Brian, Director of Sport at the University of Cambridge, shares his extensive career journey, unique experiences at Cambridge, and his perspectives on the future of university sports. Discover lessons from iconic events like the Oxford-Cambridge Boat Race and practical strategies for effective sports partnerships and innovation.

In this conversation, Stew Fowlie shares his journey from early memories in sport to becoming the Chief Operating Officer at Scottish Student Sport. He discusses the evolution of student sport in Scotland, the role of Scottish Student Sport, and the importance of advocacy and funding. Stew also highlights the Active Campus Network initiative aimed at increasing student engagement in physical activ...

Katy Storie shares her inspiring journey from early sport experiences to competing internationally and becoming Director of Sport at Newcastle University. She discusses the transformative power of sport, leadership in female sports, international collaborations in the Middle East, and strategic insights for university sport programs.

Neil Brown, Director of Sport & Active Health at the University of Strathclyde, shares his journey from early sports memories to leading the development of Strathclyde's state-of-the-art sports facilities. Discover insights on managing large capital projects, building effective partnerships, and fostering a culture of excellence in university sport.

In this insightful interview, Tim Hollingsworth OBE shares his unique journey from studying drama at Exeter University to leading major sports organisations in the UK. Tim emphasises the importance of purpose, collaboration, and systemic change in sport as he unpacks his time at UK Sport, The British Paralympic Association and Sport England. Discover lessons on leadership, the impact of Paralympic...

Dr Emma Ross co-founded The Well HQ an expert consultancy that combines decades of experience in science, medicine and sports to create impactful solutions that close the culture gap, turning women’s health into the standard in organisational systems, policies, and culture. From global brands to grassroots clubs, they've helped companies in all industries move from box-ticking to meaningful, l...

In this episode of SportH.E Ben O'Connell welcomes Ken Masser, a seasoned professional in organisational psychology and leadership, to discuss his career journey and the founding of Miova. Ken shares his transition from KPMG to becoming the CEO of a Leisure Trust, emphasising the importance of work-life balance and the challenges of stepping into leadership roles at a young age. He reflects on...

In this episode of SportH.E, host Ben O'Connell welcomes Will Roberts, the CEO of BUCS, to discuss his journey in sport and leadership. Will shares his early experiences with volleyball, influenced by his father's dedication to physical education and community engagement. He reflects on how his upbringing in Stoke shaped his passion for sport and his eventual career path, emphasising the i...

This year sportH.E was invtied back to BUCS conference to record another live episode. In this special edition, I was joined on stage by 4 inspiring students who shared their insights and advice on how to build a great sporting experience. We got to hear their views on our sector, the work they are doing within their own Universities and what they would do if they were a Director of Sport or BUCS...

In this conversation, Phil Malatesta shares his unique journey into the world of H.E sport, from an original apprenticeship, then stints in the private sector, and a number of stops both in the University and Student Union side of H.E. We discuss his career path and the resilience and tenacity this has instilled in him. We also get the opportunity to discuss the recent developments at the Universi...

In this conversation, Danielle Farrell shares her journey from growing up in Ireland and pursuing a career in sports education to becoming the Head of Sport at UA92. She discusses the challenges and opportunities she faced along the way, including her experiences as a sabbatical officer and the importance of student voice in higher education. Danielle highlights the unique approach of UA92, emphas...

In this conversation, Mark Munro, Director of Sport & Active Health at the University of Edinburgh shares his extensive journey in sports management, detailing his experiences from grassroots development to high-level governance in athletics. He discusses the challenges faced during his tenure at UK Athletics, including financial instability and leadership changes, and reflects on the importan...

In this conversation, Keith Morris, Director of Sport at the University of York, shares his journey in sport management, detailing his experiences from his early career. He discusses the challenges faced in higher education sport, the importance of building a constructive culture, and the need for flexibility in managing diverse teams. Keith emphasizes the significance of passion in sport, the nec...

In this conversation, Vicky Ackerley shares her journey from a passionate athlete to the Director of Residences and Sport at the University of Manchester. We discuss the evolution of sport education, the challenges of managing a broad portfolio that includes both sports and residences, and the importance of advocating for the value of sport in higher education. Vicky emphasises the need for a shif...

In this conversation, I had the immense pleasure of being joined by Paul Bedford from Retention Guru to discuss all things health & fitness, sales and retention. Paul shares his extensive background in leisure and fitness, emphasizing the need for support for new exercisers and the common mistakes made by health clubs. We explore the balance between sales and retention, the significance of mem...

In this conversation, Euan Smith shares his career journey to the Director of Sport at the University of Glasgow. He discusses his ambition, the importance of understanding people in sport, and the impact of coaching on personal and professional development. Euan emphasizes the significance of business coaching as a leadership tool and reflects on his own experiences with coaching, highlighting th...

In this conversation, Gavin Ward, a senior lecturer in physical education at the University of Wolverhampton, discusses his research on race and equality in sport, particularly focusing on the experiences of non-white participants in the BUCS ecosystem. The conversation delves into the complexities of racial terminology, the findings of the research, and the implications for H.E. Gavin emphasizes...

In this conversation, Phil shares his diverse career journey leading to his role as Director of Sport at the University of East Anglia. He discusses his experiences in Saudi Arabia, his early career in the private leisure sector and the nuances of the Director of Sport role. Phil emphasizes the significance of teamwork and the transferable skills between sports management and other sectors, while...

In this week's episode, I am delighted to be joined by Andy Allford, Director of Sport at the University of Birmingham. Andy discusses his career journey and we take a deep dive into the role of sport in higher education. We get to explore his experience at the 2012 Olympics and listen to the lessons he learned about performance, prevention, and creating a supportive environment. In our conversati...

Today's episode features our first leader from outside H.E. Hayley Lever is the CEO of Greater Manchester Moving, the organisation responsible for changing lives through movement, physical activity and sport across Manchester. I've been fortunate to spend some time with Hayley over the last few years and have found the work that she is leading to be pioneering and inspirational. Our conversation e...

In this episode I was delighted to welcome, Stephen Baddeley, Director of Sport at the University of Bath to the show. Stephen discusses his career journey and the role of sport at the university. He highlights the importance of partnerships in supporting performance athletes and the success of Team Bath. He also addresses the challenges facing the higher education sector, including funding constr...

SportH.E goes international! In this episode, we get a unique opportunity to explore the U.S College Sport environment, where we are joined by Brian Sereno, Associate Director of Communications at George Washington University. GW is a member of the Atlantic 10 Conference and has 20 intercollegiate varsity programs with approximately 400 student-athletes. In this wide-ranging conversation, Brian di...

In this episode, we are joined by Richard Wheater, Director of Sport at Loughborough University. Unless you've been living under a rock you will know that Loughborough is a global leading sports institution and is often cited as the sector leader in the UK. We recorded this episode just after the Paris Olympics, where multiple Loughborough students were excelling on the world stage so it was a gre...

In this special live edition, recorded at BUCS Conference in 2024 I had the opportunity to speak and listen to 4 women on their leadership journeys within sport. A huge thanks to Kate Cox (Sheffield Hallam), Katie Storie (Newcastle), Jo Emmett (Loughborough) and Sam Bell-Minogue (BUCS) for being part of this sensational panel. With searing honesty, we hear the lived experiences of women who have p...