Good governance is at the heart of any successful organisation.
Bowls England recognises the importance of good governance in operating effectively, ensuring we are relevant in today’s society and securing the confidence of our stakeholders. We are committed to make positive change in this area.
To this end, following a robust process, we are delighted to confirm the personnel to join our newly formed Governance Working Party, which will conduct a thorough review of our performance against the requirements of the Sports England Code for Sports Governance and make recommendations for further improvement.
Jon Cockcroft, Bowls England Chief Executive, said: “Working collaboratively with all stakeholders, the Board is committed to improving our structures, systems and culture in keeping with the most progressive sports organisations. We are delighted to have assembled a working party of experienced individuals, diverse in background but similar in their eagerness to see our sport move forward. We look forward to this positive work beginning in earnest over the coming weeks.”
The Working Party will be chaired by our Director of Governance, Foster Johnson. Foster has already carried out successful reviews of the Management Accounts, Risk Register and Business Continuity Plan amongst others and was previously on the English Bowling Association’s Policy Committee and Bowls England’s Policy and Management Committee.
Lindsay Collin is the current County Administrator for Gloucestershire and has been involved with the sport for almost 60 years, serving in a Club and County official capacity for three decades. Lindsay has seven years’ experience of the Bowls England policies and protocols as a member of the former Bowls England Policy and Management Committee. As a lecturer and administrator at Aberystwyth University for over 45 years, Lindsay has considerable knowledge and experience of corporate structures, policies and processes.
Jonathan Doust has 15 years of National Level Board experience within sports organisations, spending seven years as a non-executive board member at the English Institute of Sport through both the London and Rio Olympic cycles. Jonathan has twice been elected Chair of the British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences and was head of academic departments at three Universities. Jonathan is a playing member of Gildredge Park BC in Sussex.
Loretta Spridgeon is currently working as Head of Communications at the Royal Yachting Association. She has developed, implemented and monitored the RYA communication strategies, member and stakeholder engagement strategies and has successfully delivered mechanisms and initiatives to improve internal communications within the association. Loretta plays an important role in supporting the RYA Board as they discharge the responsibilities in compliance with the Sport England Code for Sports Governance. Loretta joined Folland BC in Hampshire in 2017 and is a regular playing member.
Dr Anna Molony will join as Independent Director and a representative of the Board. Over the course of her professional career, Anna has worked at a strategic level in two companies that she has founded and successfully grown. As facilitator of the Management Audit & Review Committee she has also been involved in carrying out successful reviews of the Management Accounts, Risk Register and Business Continuity Plan amongst others.
The progress of the Governance Working Groups will be made available through all the usual Bowls England channels, and will be discussed by the Bowls England board when appropriate.