Corporate Responsibility
Birmingham Community Leisure Trust - Trustees
Last Updated: 03 Apr 2024
Background
Birmingham Community Leisure Trust, a not-for-profit registered society, work with our delivery partner Serco Leisure delivering the services for the aforementioned leisure facilities on behalf of Birmingham City Council.
The Trust is committed to promoting a healthier, happier nation, encouraging people to take regular exercise and introduce more activity into their daily lives. With Serco Leisure, we make changes to help people enjoy local life – breaking down any barriers which may be preventing them from doing so. We bring about change and make a real difference to achieve social and sporting inclusion.
Birmingham Community Leisure Trust has an experienced Board of Trustees who are representative of the local communities that we serve and have a broad range of skills commensurate with the business that the board engages in.
Brian Taylor (Chairman)
Brian has had a long and varied career in general and financial management including catering, music, leisure construction, house building, pubs and accountancy.
As well as being Chair of More Leisure Community Trust and several other leisure Trusts, Brian is currently Chair and Managing Director of a small group of companies which currently has interests in pubs, equipment hire and accountancy.
On the voluntary front Brian has been Chair of a local football club, Chair of the local sports council, served on the local enterprise board and was Honorary Squadron Commander for 422nd Air Based Squadron based at RAF Croughton.
Brian’s experience in financial and general management coupled with over 12 years’ experience of leisure Trusts and general passion for community and seeing people ‘more active’ equips Brian with the skills to lead the trust board to develop the strategy and direction to take the trust forward.
Rebecca Cox – Trustee
Rebecca has over 25 years’ experience in the sports and leisure industry, spending over 20 years working for public and private operators specialising in aquatics, training and Education and leisure business management. She has extensive experience from a grassroots level through to executive roles.
Rebecca was appointed as Managing Director of the Institute of Swimming in 2016, having joined the organisation in 2013 as Head of Business Development. She is responsible for the strategic approach of the business ensuring the reach and influence of the Institute of swimming, across national and international markets. Responsible for leading the organisation through the commercial landscape, maximising opportunity whilst considering the requirements of the sport, challenging the status quo by questioning the norm, personalising offers and providing aquatic solutions for the sector.
Ian Phelps - Trustee
Ian is a passionate leader with first class communication skills and a long track record of successful management. With over 45 years in the leisure business Ian has an extensive knowledge of the leisure market and in particular leisure trusts and knowledge of current economic, social and regulatory issues.
From the position of Trainee Manager in a large multi-purpose council operated leisure centre Ian’s career in the public sector culminated after 17 years as Assistant Director Leisure Services for Lichfield District Council. In 1988 he was ‘head hunted’ into the private leisure sector before moving 3 years later to Serco where he had roles as Director and then Managing Director.
Contract negotiations has featured high on his agenda and he was instrumental in creating 17 Independent Trust boards who subsequently engaged with Serco to deliver the contract obligations through a Managing Agency Agreement. Ian retired as Managing Director in 2016.
Kate Mcknight - Secretary
Kate is a Leisure Business expert with over 30 years’ experience of working in the Leisure industry. She has a passion for community wellbeing and providing excellent leisure facilities for people to use regardless of their physical ability or their ability to pay.
Kate has worked in many areas of Leisure over the years to include Contract and Facility Management, Business Development, Sales Marketing and Programming.
Kate has worked for the governing body of swimming (Swim England) as Head of Facilities and also for FINA the international federation as Honorary secretary for the facilities committee, this post involved writing the requirements for Architects and Pool Designers so their drawings comply with the requirements of the sport for Olympics, World Championships and major events.
Kate has now moved into the world of design and manufacturing of swimming pools as Country Manager for the UK & Ireland for Myrtha Pools and includes her expertise in programming and facility management to ensure each project is perfectly designed to meet the requirements of the community, the operator, and the pool owner.
Kate also continues to work with Swimming Clubs and other Leisure organisations advising on developing their business and assisting towards their financial success.
John Nelson - Trustee
John retired in 2017 as Deputy Director of Leisure and wellbeing for West Lancashire Borough Council. His career spans over 40 years working for four local authorities across the Merseyside area, including two Metropolitan Councils.
Moving to West Lancashire as the Head of Leisure and Cultural Services in 1991, John was instrumental in outsourcing the Council’s Leisure facilities to a private sector partner under a local trust arrangement. John also oversaw the transfer to local community groups the Council’s community rooms and Civic Hall under either charitable trust, NPDO’s or CIC’s.
The position of Deputy Director for Leisure and Wellbeing brought together the environmental heath functions with the development of a Council wide health and wellbeing strategy with Leisure as the main focus for delivery. Working closely with the Director of Health for Lancashire John was key to delivering initiatives to improve health outcomes for residents.