directors | administration and customer care | marketing | design and editorial | mailings | workforce development | warehouse management
With nearly 100 staff members, there are too many of us to mention. But here you can read profiles on the people you may deal with.
Directors
Tony Byrne, Managing Director
A graduate of Crewe and Alsager College, Tony has a Masters and PhD in Sports Psychology from the University of Illinois. His Masters and PhD focussed on growing and sustaining participation in sport.
Tony joined NCF to develop the Sports Science Support Programme on behalf of the Sports Council, bringing together sports science and coaching - which could be considered to be the forerunner of the English Institute of Sport. During his time at Coachwise, Tony has overseen the development and rapid growth of the company, one of many Coachwise highlights. Tony has seen the organisation grow from a small but loyal team of 3 employees to a thriving company with a nearly 100-strong workforce.
He has also been a member of a wide variety of committees within sport. Tony has also been involved with the Saudi British Memorandum of Understanding for Youth and Sport since its inception and is a former member of the BASES committee. Once a football coach and qualified PE teacher, Tony is now a golfer and supporter/spectator of his son who participates in cricket, football, swimming and golf. Whilst still interested in health and fitness Tony has also developed a passion for real ale and fine wines.
Phil Collier, Business Development Director
Phil joined Coachwise in 2006 following three years as Head of Sport and Recreation at Skills Active. Whilst at Skills Active Phil set up the Professional Development Board, working with Regional Development Agencies, the Learning and Skills Council and Sport England. Phil’s career has been closely connected with Sport England in a variety of forms, he was once Head of Education and Training at Sport England which included starting runningsports in 1997. Phil came into the sport sector from a commercial background, having been a Regional Manager for Thorn EMI.
Phil’s Coachwise highlights include the work he has done with sports coach UK. As a coach, Phil has particularly appreciated being able to influence the changes to coaching services and seeing that those changes are going to make a real difference to coaches on the ground.
Phil played Lacrosse for England in the '82 and '86 World Championships and later went on to coach the England and Scotland men's teams to success - including winning the European Championships three times as Head Coach. Most recently, Phil has moved on to delivering coach education courses for the English Lacrosse Association and sits on the National Technical Committee.
Tony Dallimore, Education Director
Originally hailing from the world of outdoor education, Tony joined Coachwise in 1999 on secondment from sports coach UK, to set up the awarding body 1st4sport Qualifications. At sports coach UK he held a number posts leading teams supporting governing bodies of sport. Tony joined sports coach UK in 1994, following a stint at the Royal Yachting Association as their Windsurfing Manager, where he developed their coach education programmes, workforce and resources.
Tony’s Coachwise highlight was gaining QCA recognition for 1st4sport as an awarding body in 2000, which put 1st4sport Qualifications on the map and started the period of growth which now sees 1st4sport fulfilling a unique role within in the sector, operating in awarding partnerships with some 25+ governing bodies. Tony’s a former round the world yachtsman and active cycle commuter and mountain biker, completing endurance events at home and as far afield as the Canadian Rockies. He was also the instigator of the Coachwise bike to work scheme!
Kath Leonard, Chief Operating Officer
Kath has spent most of her career at Coachwise and she is one of the original members of staff from when Coachwise began in 1989. Whilst here she’s studied for her degree in Business and Management (part-time) and fitted in a postgraduate diploma from the Institute of Direct Marketing (IDM). Kath’s Coachwise highlights include seeing the growth and success of the business – from 3 people to nearly 100 employees. She has particularly enjoyed her part in building up the business and establishing a lot of the services that we now know as the solutions Coachwise provides. Kath remembers finding the current premises, which was a bit of a step-up from the warehouses’ “garden shed” beginnings. Once an accomplished squash player, Kath is now mainly involved in sport either by supporting her son’s football club or through playing the occasional round of golf.
Melanie Mallinson, Marketing & Mail Order Director
Originally a linguist, Melanie started working at Coachwise in 1997 after working for the Deutsche Bank in Paris and the Italian Chamber of Commerce in Milan. With postgraduate qualifications from both the Chartered Institute of Marketing and the Institute of Direct Marketing, when Melanie started at Coachwise, she was the marketing department. Melanie’s Coachwise highlights include setting up the mail order operation for clients like the FA and England Netball and launching 1st4sport.com. Most recently, Melanie has led on strategic planning, for both Coachwise and sports coach UK. She has enjoyed working with a variety of clients over the years, to deliver what they need, shaping communications to get the right message to the right people and striking the balance between commercial gain and other objectives. Melanie plays tennis at club level and more recently she has taken up cross country skiing.
Jill Scoltock, Corporate Services Director
After graduating from Newcastle University Jill joined the Civil Service, where she spent 5 years before leaving to pursue a post graduate qualification in Information Administration. Jill joined the NCF (now sports coach UK) in 1987 as Office Manager to cover a period of maternity leave. Since then, Jill stayed with the company and moved into roles including Executive Officer, Sports Science Education Programme, Company Administrator and in 1997, Jill took responsibility for the areas of Finance and IT, in addition to Personnel as Head of Administration.
In April 2004 the Personnel, IT and Finance functions of the business moved to the offices of Coachwise Limited. Jill has been pleased to be part of the growth of the two organisations over the past 23 years and now heads up the Corporate Services Team providing essential Personnel and IS services to circa 160 staff. Jill is looking forward to being part of the continued development of the two companies over the forthcoming years.
Sally Wardle, Group Chief Accountant
Sally is the Group Chief Accountant and joined the organisation to work for both sports coach UK and Coachwise in 2008. A qualified chartered accountant since 1999, Sally previously worked for big players in the leisure industry - including Jet 2, Airtours, First Choice and as the Financial Controller of Lingfield Park race course. Sally’s Coachwise highlights have been the improvements she has made to the financial systems and controls, plus successfully driving down overheads. Sally has run a half-marathon or two in her time and took part in the Coachwise Children in Need exerciseathon. A member of MENSA, Sally has also been a Mastermind contestant, her specialist subject being the life and work of John Everett Millais.
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Customer Care and Administration Sharon Harland, Head of Events Administration
Sharon joined Coachwise in 1998, as a workshop administrator. Coachwise was one of her first civvy roles after leaving the army in 1996 - Sharon had worked as a systems operator in the Royal Corps of Signals, stationed in Germany and Northern Ireland. Having worked her way through the ranks at Coachwise, Sharon’s Coachwise highlight has been taking on the management of workshop administration for several brands. Once a keen sailor and sportswoman in the armed forces, Sharon’s now a footy mum. She also took part in Coachwise’s Children in Need exerciseathon and has climbed The Old Man of Coniston with other Coachwise colleagues to raise money for Breast Cancer Research.
Vicky Willetts, Head of Client Services
Working life before Coachwise for Vicky was at sports coach UK, where she was an office junior from 1996 until 2000. Vicky joined Coachwise to become a clerical officer in Membership Administration – part of the department she now heads up. Vicky’s Coachwise highlights (apart from the work social scene!) include managing services for some of Coachwise’s most high profile clients. She enjoys working with clients and getting to know their business – and delivering the results. Now a badminton player (playing alongside other Coachwise staff), Vicky also played rugby for Morley RFC. An adventurous type, Vicky is a tornado-chaser and sports bike enthusiast - following the motorbike season. Alongside Coachwise colleagues Vicky climbed The Old Man of Coniston for Breast Cancer Research and took part in the Children in Need exerciseathon. She also ran a 5k race for Breast Cancer Research.
Nicola Cartwright, Head of Centre Support
Nicola joined Coachwise in 2000 after completing a degree in Sport and Exercise Science. After starting out in the FA qualifications team, Nicola moved on to become Head of Centre Support. Her Coachwise highlights have included working with the people she has met and the interaction she has with her clients, building up good relationships and delivering a service that has a positive impact. A footballer from an early age, Nicola plays for Kirklees Ladies in the West Riding Premier League and has played in the Coachwise football team. A dedicated sports volunteer, Nicola carries out the role of secretary to her club.
Karen Wright, Head of Customer Care
Karen is one of our original members of staff, having joined the organisation in 1991 as a data entry clerk. Her previous roles were in customer care, working as a receptionist as well as being a busy mum. She has gone on to head up customer care and says that there have been many high points in her career at Coachwise. Overall, being here to see Coachwise grow from a very small operation to the large company it is today, has been her career highlight. Karen climbed The Old Man of Coniston with other Coachwise colleagues to raise money for Breast Cancer Research.
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Marketing Karen Shead, Head of Campaigns
Hailing from an education, financial services and mail order background, Karen joined Coachwise in 2008 - bringing with her 16 years of experience from both the commercial and public sector. Karen is qualified with the Chartered Institute of Marketing and has worked across all areas of marketing over the years. Karen heads up a marketing team of direct marketing and website specialists. During her time at Coachwise she has developed the e-commerce offer, including the re-launch of several websites although her Coachwise highlight has been getting back into direct marketing – her first love! A keen spectator of many sports, Karen has most recently attended The World Kickboxing Championships, several England football games and the World Gymnastics Championships.
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Design and Editorial Martin Betts, Head of Publications and Design
Following a career as a sports journalist for The Press Association, Johnston Press and Archant, Martin now manages Coachwise’s talented team of designers and editors. Some of Martin’s Coachwise highlights since joining the company in 2007 have been winning the pitch to redevelop
England Netball’s brand and working with the RFL to develop their Performance Programme department's
Player's Handbook. Martin is a keen footballer, and supports Norwich City FC - a tradition he is keen to keep in the family with the birth of his son Jake in 2009.
Terry Hartley, Print Production Controller
Terry recently joined Coachwise, bringing 40 years experience in print to the organisation. In the past Terry has taken on a range of roles in the industry, including the production, buying and selling of print. He’s worked with a diverse range of clients over the years, from packaging for national supermarket chains, to local authorities and national government departments. (And pretty much everything you can think of in between!) Terry’s Coachwise highlight so far has been the impact his knowledge, contacts and experience has already made on reducing clients’ print prices. A vintage car enthusiast - and ex-racer - Terry now concentrates on organising rallies.
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Mailings Amanda Fawcett, Head of Mailings and PA
Amanda joined Coachwise in 2000, having previously worked for Compass (a contract catering company). Originally from a customer care background, Amanda joined Coachwise as a secretary and now job-shares the Head of Mailings/Directors PA role with Lisa Beel. Amanda’s Coachwise highlight was taking on the mailing department in 2005 – she has seen the department grow and thrive. A badminton player and mountain biker, Amanda is also a motorsports fan – having attended Formula 1 races at Silverston and Barcelona’s Catalunia circuits. A classic car owner and sometime grease monkey, Amanda enjoys attending classic car events in her Triumph Stag.
Lisa Beel, Head of Mailings and PA
Lisa was originally employed as a Membership Administrator with the British Institute of Sports Coaches in 1990 (BISC then merged with the NCF, now known as sports coach UK in 1993) and then over the years she progressed to work as a PA to the company directors. Along the way, Lisa has fitted in three children and now job shares with Amanda Fawcett. Her Coachwise highlights have been her involvement right from the beginning and progressing to become a head of department. Her involvement in sport extends to being a volunteer - her son plays for Burley Trojans FC, where she helps out and marshals tournaments. Lisa also recently ran the Leeds 10k run with her sister in memory of their Dad and to raise money for Yorkshire Cancer Centre.
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Workforce Development Sian Wright, Workforce Development Manager
Sian joined Coachwise in 2008 after 8 years in leisure management. A registered level 3 exercise professional and qualified teacher of pilates, kickboxing, aerobics, step aerobics, group cycling and circuits, Sian also has qualifications in core stability and nutrition, coaching qualifications in basketball, football and tennis, and a BSc in Sport Management.
Sian’s Coachwise highlights have included increasing the tutor workforce across the country and building relationships with partners. More recently, Sian has been instrumental in the creation of a new recognised centre for delivering qualifications and enjoys supporting the candidates as they undertake their professional development.
A former footballer, athlete, tennis player and gymnast at county level, Sian also played basketball at club level. She is still an active member of a trampolining club as gymnastics remains her passion.
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Warehouse Management Doug Beech, Warehouse Manager
Doug joined Coachwise as Warehouse Manager in 2004, after 14 years at Avery Dennison where he was the Distribution Centre Manager.
Doug’s Coachwise highlights include managing the warehouse through the reorganisation of accommodation to make the most effective use of the available space. This included the introduction of a narrow aisle fork-lift, increasing warehousing capacity by 30%.
Under Doug’s guidance the service levels have improved to a next-day warehouse despatch turnaround and a 99% picking accuracy rate.
Doug completed his first triathlon recently to raise money for the Prince of Wales Hospice and is in training for his next challenges.
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