New Trustees appointed
Posted on: 08 October 2024 by Switch the Play Foundation
Switch the Play Foundation is thrilled to announce the appointment of three new trustees to join our Trustee Board.
Martin Bould, Mary Few, and Ben Hawes MBE bring a wealth of passion and experience from business and sport that will help drive the ambition of the charity over the next 3 years and beyond.
Craig Donaldson, Chair of Trustees said: “I’m delighted to announce the appointment of these outstanding individuals who will bring vast and varied experience to the Board.
All three will contribute enormously valuable skills at a time when our work to support the transition of athletes to their lives beyond sport is more important than ever.
All of us at Switch the Play Foundation look forward to working alongside the new Trustees in the coming years.”
The new trustees are:
Martin Bould
Martin has enjoyed a successful corporate career with executive leadership roles in Telecoms, Technology and Transport, with Brands including Vodafone, Salesforce, First Group and O2 where he led Consumer Marketing. Martin has built a fintech start-up and is now a Board advisor to businesses in Telecoms and the Call Centre/Customer service industry. He has a wide and varied corporate and sports network.
Martin said: “I’m delighted to be joining the board as a Trustee – I really see and appreciate the need served by Switch the Play, the passion displayed by the existing team and their desire to make a difference.
I hope I can bring both my corporate experience and network to bear to support the delivery of the plans and ambition for the charity over the next 3 years.”
Mary Few
Mary leads the Scottish office for Saxton Bampfylde, one of the UK’s leading Executive Search firms. Mary works on a cross-sector basis advising clients on executive and non-executive appointments in professional services and the wider private sector, encouraging clients to think strategically about talent. As Head of the Scottish Office, Mary also works more broadly across the social impact and education sectors
Mary said: “I am deeply inspired by Switch the Play Foundation’s mission to support and prepare athletes as they transition to life beyond sport. The proactive approach to ensuring they have the transferable skills, mindset and resource really resonate with me and I am excited to get involved and contribute to this important cause.”
Ben Hawes MBE
Ben has lived through his own transition from being an athlete to the corporate world. A 3-time Olympic hockey player, Ben has always had a passion for athlete advocacy and support, as former chair of the British Olympic Association Athletes Commission, Ben represented British Olympians on the BOA Board as well as in international forums.
Now working in commercial development and partnerships at John Lewis and Partners, Ben remains passionate about giving athletes the platforms and support to be fulfilled during and beyond their sporting lives.
Ben said: “I am excited to join the team and help support and shape the work that Switch the Play do.
Transitioning from being an athlete is never a straight line. Being ‘transitioned’ is not just about finding a job, earning money or being perceived as fit and healthy. It's about fulfilment and it's about being comfortable with who you are and who you're seen as being post competition. It's something that needs to be worked on, understood and supported.
Organisations such as Switch the Play recognise this, create platforms and support mechanisms for athletes to learn and normalise this journey.... Ultimately helping athletes with their path to fulfilment and their positive impact beyond competition.”