Time for Action on Racism in Sport conference - 6 November 2024

Chris has been CEO of a successful UK-wide charity (Sported); overseen one of  the UK’s biggest ever public-facing behaviour-change programmes (Chip & PIN); tutored multiple medal-winning coaches in the Olympic and Paralympic sports, and worked as a Consultant on leadership, strategy and change, across the public, private and voluntary sectors. Chris’s Chair roles include English Professional Football’s Integrated Coaching Board until 2023, and the judging of the Sport Industry Awards. He currently chairs the British Basketball Federation. 

Chris served two terms as an Independent Board Member of Sport England, where he focused on widening participation in sport and activity for all. He continues to support and advocate for initiatives aiming for national teams and leaders in sport to reflect the broader population. He was previously a member of the Commission on the future of Women’s Sport and Deputy Chair of International Inspiration, the ground-breaking London 2012 International Development Programme. His early career included a role supporting the first Black MPs elected to the UK Parliament.

Chris has delivered well-received keynotes at events ranging from the World Cities Forum to the NHS Medical Directors’ Conference. He has an MSc. in People Development and a longstanding interest in group dynamics and organisational culture. Participants in Chris’s workshops on chairing and group facilitation skills have included senior leaders from financial services, retail, healthcare and sport. The title of these workshops  - MeWe - was borrowed from Muhammad Ali, who Chris once had the honour of introducing at a London 2012 event.

Chris’s book Better Decisions was published by Quarto, and he has been heard and seen on a number of podcasts and news programmes, including BBC Radio’s Today. In the 2021 Queen’s Birthday Honours, Chris was awarded an OBE for services to sport.

Claire is coach and a founding member of Holbeck Moor FC. She also plays Sunday League for Bradford-based club Route 1 Rovers. 

Claire is passionate about the power of football to bring communities together. With her former club Republica Internationale she toured Palestine twice, playing and forming lasting friendships with women's teams in the West Bank. 

Claire works for Voluntary Action Leeds, helping charities and small groups improve infrastructure and networking. 

Wan is an Expert by Experience speaker and is an ambassador for City of Sanctuary UK, The VOICES Network UK, and Holbeck Moor Women’s Football Club. She is also the founder of Sanctuary Got Talent, and Media and Communication Coordinator for Leeds City of Sanctuary. Wan is a mum of eight.

https://www.slunglow.org/hmfc/

https://doinggoodleeds.org.uk/voluntary-action-leeds/

Bashir has 26 years’ experience in Community Development and Project Management. His current role is Chief Officer for Welcome House, managing and overseeing the day-to-day work. His interests include listening to Bollywood music.

Said is a volunteer at Welcome House. He has been teaching social science, globalisations & modernisation, human rights, and topics related to secularism openly, since the formation of previous Afghan government in various educational institutions such as the American University of Afghanistan AUAF, Dunya, Rana, and Bakhtar University.

Ayosola Odunsi is Volunteer Coordinator at Welcome House.

https://welcomehousehull.org.uk/

The Islamophobia Awareness Month campaign runs every November to raise awareness of Islamophobia and showcase the positive contributions of Muslims in society. 

https://www.islamophobia-awareness.org/

https://bit.ly/IAM-Guide

https://bit.ly/IAM-sport

Wayne has spent almost 20 years as a player, fan and then as a referee. He’s had many experiences on and off the pitch - good and bad. Wayne wants to share his own insight into how far the developments in tackling racism have come, where it is now and his thoughts on how to eradicate the matter. Wayne says:

“It gives me great privilege to be part of this event. This is my fourth opportunity to give a public speech on my personal insight into diversity, equality and racism and my observations through sport, particularly football.”