Meet the Board

Richard Smith - Chair of the Board, ESG Champion

Richard is a former Fire Officer with over 35 years experience of working in fire services across England and Wales, retiring as the Chief Fire Officer for Mid and West Wales in April 2014. Following retirement, he moved to the region along with his wife Caroline where he joined the Board of the Humber Sports Partnership soon after, taking up the position of Chair in October 2017.

Chris Adams - Senior Independent Director and Chair, Governance and Standards Committee

As a Partner at Gosschalks I specialise in Commercial Litigation and Insolvency. I trained with the firm in 2008 and qualified in 2010. Since qualification I have worked at other law firms in both Hull and Leeds. In my specialism, I am particularly interested in insolvency and all aspects of that whether it be acting for Insolvency Practitioners, or individuals/companies in financial difficulties. I think the part I enjoy most about my job is the fact that no two days are ever the same, which keeps things varied and interesting.

Out of work my main interests are athletics and golf (playing badly rather than watching). Up until most recently, I was a keen runner and member of East Hull Harries A.C. However, after years of wear and tear, my body told me it was time to try something new – hence the golf and so I retired from running at the age of 30!

Jane Stafford - Welfare and Safety Director, Equality Lead and Member, Governance and Standards Committee

I have worked in social regeneration and the Voluntary and Community Sector in Hull since 2001. Founding Hull based Charity, Child Dynamix in 2005. I have worked in management and leadership roles since 1993 across social regeneration, family services, and Early years. I became the CEO of Hull University Students’ Union in 2018.

I am married with two grown-up sons, outside of work my family are big football fans, watching, playing, and supporting. I also enjoy walking, skiing dancing, and art and craft projects.

Natalie Murphy - Chair, Advocacy and Influence Committee

I started my career as a journalist, working at a variety of local newspapers before working in PR for a wide range of clients, both in-house and at an agency. More recently, I led global communications for a large health corporate as part of a programme to implement new ways of working at R&D and manufacturing sites around the world. I am now using all of this experience in my current role as a communications consultant for Fujitsu, where I use my storytelling skills to support clients who are trying to make change happen.

I have always enjoyed watching and participating in sport and as a change management professional, I am inspired by the power participation at all levels has to motivate, inspire and engage people. Being a trustee also means that I am constantly reminded of the benefits of living an active life, which encourages me to continue with regular yoga, pilates and circuit classes and weekly Parkruns.

Richard Skewis - Chair, Finance and Audit Committee

Richard has more than 20 years’ experience helping both family and owner managed businesses develop and grow and is a Partner at Sowerby Charterd Accountants.

Richard provides business advisory, accountancy and taxation services across a broad spectrum of business sectors. He works closely in partnership with clients to help achieve their business goals and plan for succession.

Richard is our Finance and Audit Chair and provides great support to the Board on all matters finance.

Rebecca D'Arcy - Vice Chair of the board and Member of the Advocacy and Influence Committee

I am Development Manager with the Youth Sport Trust a national charity that equips educators and empowers young people with the vision of creating a future where every child enjoys the life-changing benefits of play and sport. I have 22 years’ experience in the Sports Development sector predominately across the Humber area and in Education although my current role covers a much wider georgraphical area.

In addition to my substantive role I have been a co-opted Governor at Willerby Carr Lane Primary School since 2017 with responsibility for PE and Sport.

Outside of my professional life I am part of an active family with two daughters; we are all active in different ways from dog walking, golf and horse riding to skiing, gymnastics and football!

Steve Curtis - Member, Finance and Audit Committee

I am currently the Head of Sport at the University of Hull and have worked in sports development for over 15 years. I completed a BSc (Joint Hons) at the University of Hull in 2003 in Physical Education, Sport Science and Technology which initially took me down the design engineering route. Although, I enjoyed the challenges of engineering I quickly realised my passion lie in sport and returned to work in the sports industry in 2008.

Working in the University sport industry has enabled me to grow my knowledge and experience in both sectors. I completed a M.Ed in 2016, where I was able to explore the role sport plays in Higher Education and have used this to develop current practice in the sector.

Away from my day job, I chair the British Universities and Colleges Sport (BUCS) Rugby League Advisory Group and sit on the RFL Community Game Board.

I am a huge Rugby fan and enjoy watching both codes, my playing days are well behind me but I still play Touch Rugby. I also love playing squash, going for a run and have recently branched out to try a triathlon.

I'm married with two children, we are an active family and like to spend time being active together.