Mark realised at a young age that sport was the ideal platform for him to show his disability didn’t need to define him. Since then, he has made it his life. Mark has been fortunate enough to represent Great Britain in three sports; Volleyball, Wheelchair Rugby and Wheelchair Basketball. Most notably, winning gold in European Championships in Wheelchair Basketball.

Mark was awarded his honorary doctorate in 2019 for his contribution to sport but also the work he has undertaken off the playing field. Mark has worked at a strategic level to influence the West Midlands to be an exemplar for engaging disabled people to be active, and previously worked as Performance Director of Wheelchair Rugby, lead a sports department in a college and managed fitness facilities.

Richard is renowned for his sporting achievements, 4 time Paralympian and Gold medalist, he also holds the Marathon and Half Marathon World Record. In 2013 he completed a gruelling 40 Marathons in 40 Days, raising money for Sarcoma and Scope, inspiring millions along the way.

Richard has spent his life dedicated to sport and helping young people excel in achieving their aspirations from schools in his home county of Nottinghamshire to the Syrian border.

Penny has worked in the charity sector for 22 years, including 12 years as a senior leader. She has worked for some of the UK’s leading disability charities, including RNID, RNIB and Scope, delivering information and advice services to millions of disabled people, their families and carers. She has set up volunteer-led programmes and projects in communities across the UK and internationally.

Penny spent five years in the environmental sector and was Europe Director for an organisation sending young people volunteering around the world and hosting volunteers from 17 countries in the UK.

Penny has worked with some of the UK’s largest Trust and Government funders, corporations, small businesses, local authorities, schools, national charities and local community groups and organisations. She is passionate about driving positive change and making a difference to disabled people’s lives. She is excited to have joined the Richard Whitehead Foundation at this pivotal moment in its development.

Tracy has 20 years’ experience working at Senior Executive and C-Suite level within global banking and financial institutions.

She is a former two-time Olympian – and finalist – in 3 metre springboard diving, as well as four-time Commonwealth Games competitor and silver medallist. She was a World Championship finalist during her 25-year athletic career. Tracy holds the record for Zimbabwe National Champion, she was also South Africa Champion, All-Africa Games Champion and Winner of the Sportsperson of the Year Award.

Tracy was awarded an athletic scholarship to study in America where she took up Sport Psychology at Arizona State University in Tempe.

Tracy has 10 years volunteering experience at a number of disability sporting events, challenges and organisations including: Invictus Games, World Para Swimming Championships, to name but a few.

Kate is a CEO of a national charity and vastly experienced having completed an MSc in Voluntary Sector Management and having 23 years experience in the charity sector, primarily in fundraising, marketing and volunteering. Kate brings a wealth of knowledge of charity governance strategy and finance, as well as leadership.

Kate previously worked for Cancer Research UK as Senior Volunteer Fundraising Manager and National Events Manager. Kate was a part of the national management team of Race for Life, the largest charity sector event. With colleagues, she developed Race for Life from a series of 60 races with 50,000 participants to a series with 700,000 participants raising over £40 million.

After studying at Wellingborough School and gaining three A-levels in Politics, Physical Education and English Language David has just started a degree in Sports Management at Bournemouth University on a Sports Scholarship.

David has multiple sporting achievements as a visually impaired athlete with a B2 classification. These include Vice Captain of Northants Steelbacks Visually Impaired Adult Cricket Team, who won the British Blind Sport cup 2021 and David Townley Memorial T20 cup in 2021. David was awarded National Fielder of the Year in 2021 and is a member of the England Visually Impaired Adult Cricket Squad. David is also a coach for the Under 16 & Under 12 MK Dons Pan Disability Football teams.

David participated in the Young Leadership Programme and achieved Level 2 in volunteering for See My Voice at British Blind Sport.

Peter is a qualified accountant with 20 years of experience as a Finance Director and Programme Manager. Much of this experience within the Food Industry, but also other private sector organisations and more recently the Not for Profit sector.

Chairman & Trustee of West Bridgford Colts FC, the largest grassroots football club in the UK, Peter has seen first hand the life changing impact sport has on young people whatever their ability, background or circumstances.

Rachel has 30 years’ experience of working in the Adult Social Care sector, predominantly in the development, management and delivery of various types of Learning Disability and specialist Autism support.

Rachel has worked within the charitable sector supporting people on the Autism spectrum and families to get their voices heard and to plan and live the lives they chose free from barriers .

She is highly experienced in regulatory compliance, management practices, workforce development, training and delivery of person centred approaches whilst successfully planning, developing and managing through change.

Rachel has an excellent understanding and knowledge of the welfare and legislative system and how it relates to individuals and working environments.

As a former GB Para-athlete and current award-winning business owner, Claire has worked in sport and recreation for over 20 years, including in a National Governing body. Claire spent over 10 years as an athlete competing in Discus and Shot Put. Since retiring from competing, she has been a successful national athletics coach, coaching a current GB Paralympic athlete in the early stages of her career.   Claire is the Lead National and World Para Athletics classifier for para-athletics.  

Claire is passionate about ensuring that all disabled people have access to sporting opportunities and using sport as a tool to support disabled people and improve their lives.  

Claire’s ability to think outside of the box is a key driver in her role as a trustee, and she is excited to be able to share her experience, knowledge and skills to ensure the Richard Whitehead Foundation can reach as many disabled people as possible.

Andrew is a Strategic Partnership Advisor for Activity Alliance, leading on their regional work across the North West and North East of England. He has experience working for a wide range of organisations.

He loves connecting with people and supporting them to embed inclusive practice into their work. Andrew’s passion stems from his own lived experiences.

Growing up, he struggled to find accessible sports and activities. Now, he loves being active and has previously taken part in athletics, wheelchair sports, archery at a regional level and captained Lancashire Disabled Cricket Team. When he isn’t at home spending time with his family, you will probably find him down at the gym or at a powerlifting competition.

Alice is a marketing professional with extensive experience in digital communications and brand development. She holds a BA (Hons) in Marketing and Event Management from the University of Chichester and her expertise lies in project management, content creation, digital communications and strategic branding.

Having worked for both the public and charity sector, Alice has demonstrated a strong commitment to driving impactful marketing strategies and building compelling brand narratives and digital content. She is passionate about crafting audience-centric, insight-driven campaigns which make a real difference to the communities she works with.

Currently, Alice works part time for an NHS Trust, leading on communication campaigns to improve staff wellbeing and mental health. Her previous roles include supporting fundraisers and managing event logistics at Cancer Research UK, as well as leading on editorial functions, branding and creating digital assets for a smaller disability and healthcare charity.