Trustees

Biography

As former CEO of Metro Bank, Craig Donaldson was responsible for providing executive leadership to the bank's rapidly expanding business. He was charged with guiding the bank's evolution from fresh, new entrant in retail banking to trusted financial services partner to millions of UK customers. From helping define Metro Bank's brand values, to hiring its inaugural employees and ensuring that the bank's staff deliver daily customer delight; Craig was instrumental to Metro Bank from day one, stepping down at the end of 2019 after almost 11 years. Craig has a degree in Technology and Management from the University of Bradford. Craig is a keen and loyal supporter of Sunderland AFC and is lucky enough to have a young family to enjoy.

Biography

With accolades including 'Britain's Best Boss', Chris is one of the UK's foremost leaders in business and sport. His success is a result of a unique set of experiences including working with Olympic athletes and using sport to inspire success within business. With a focus on high performance, creating winners and delivering change, he has worked extensively with academics from leading business schools as well as executives, managers and team leaders within global PLCs.

Biography

Emma is a former international badminton player turned sports lawyer and now a businesswoman with leadership positions in several international sport governing bodies. Emma's own career transition was forced upon her at 24 following complete failure of her left kidney. At that time, Emma was left wondering what her future held and uncertain how to rebuild her identity or who she could turn to for help. Emma is therefore acutely aware of the importance of athletes preparing for their transition and is delighted to have joined Switch the Play at a key point in its development.

Biography

Mitch has been with Switch the Play since 2014, and moved into a Trustee role when we converted to a charity in 2020. In our formative years, Mitch helped the organisation grow using StP as the organisation through which he completed consultancy projects with the Premier League, AoC Sport and BUCS. This included his leadership work in convening a group of experts to design and secure approval for the Level Sporting Excellence Professional Apprenticeship Standard which is delivered across professional sport academy environments. He has experience and networks across the sporting landscape working in and around talent pathways and player welfare for over 15 years. Mitch has a portfolio of interests including another charitable trustee role with the Coach Core Foundation; Board and NED roles with Sport for Confidence, Propel Teams, Transcend Awards and Karalius Education; and works in the people development space through his Sporting People brand where he supports organisations to take a modern and ambitious approach to leadership, governance and coaching.

Biography

An award winning creative, commercial and communications director, Stacey has succeeded in delivering financial success, developing exceptional corporate teams and a marketing pioneer to boot. Currently a Commercial and Marketing Director for sports and entertainment agency CSM Live, along with a NED for the Rugby League World Cup 2021, when Stacey isn’t in the board room she can be found practicing her martial arts and passion for sky diving! Stacey assists the charity with all areas of governance, predominantly supporting the Foundation with fundraising and marketing.

Biography

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.

Biography

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 has a degree in Russian and Spanish from Trinity College Dublin and outside of work is a keen runner and mum to two young boys.

Biography

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.  As a CEO in Digicel he spent 4 years in the Cayman Island which also including a period of supporting fundraising initiatives for the Special Olympics Committee and leading the development of a Junior Golf programme.

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. 

When not working he enjoys football, golf, rugby, motorsport and travel.