At Active Humber we help people of all ages and backgrounds improve their health and well-being by getting active through sport and physical activity.
Our hardworking team are passionate about encouraging more people to get active in their communities.
We want to create a Humber where everyone is physically active every day—for their own health, their communities, and the planet. This is a big challenge, especially with current low activity levels, and it could take many years to achieve. But we’re determined to work tirelessly, step by step, to make it happen.
David Gent, CEO
I’m passionate about helping people get active in ways they enjoy—whether through community sports clubs, local partnerships, or sharing inspiring stories. I’m a strong believer in the power of sport and physical activity to support climate solutions. I’ve worked on many great sporting projects, including helping secure canoeing in the Paralympics and leading the shift of community rugby league to a summer season. Outside of work you’ll usually find me walking, catching up with friends, or at my local canoe club.
David Gent, CEO
I’m passionate about helping people get active in ways they enjoy—whether through community sports clubs, local partnerships, or sharing inspiring stories. I’m a strong believer in the power of sport and physical activity to support climate solutions. I’ve worked on many great sporting projects, including helping secure canoeing in the Paralympics and leading the shift of community rugby league to a summer season. Outside of work you’ll usually find me walking, catching up with friends, or at my local canoe club.
Nicola Massingham, Director of Development
Sport, physical activity and movement can have such a positive impact on people’s mental and physical health at anytime of their lives. Sport and being active has always played a big part in my life, but in different ways at different times of my life. Representing my country at table tennis as a teenager and completing a half marathon after becoming a mum have been memorable for different reasons. Outside of work, I have returned to playing table tennis and enjoy playing in a local league and sometimes competing for my County. I love getting out with the family dog walking and exploring new places, no matter what the weather.
Nicola Massingham, Director of Development
Sport, physical activity and movement can have such a positive impact on people’s mental and physical health at anytime of their lives. Sport and being active has always played a big part in my life, but in different ways at different times of my life. Representing my country at table tennis as a teenager and completing a half marathon after becoming a mum have been memorable for different reasons. Outside of work, I have returned to playing table tennis and enjoy playing in a local league and sometimes competing for my County. I love getting out with the family dog walking and exploring new places, no matter what the weather.
Tony Forrester, Head of Programmes and Projects
Two years ago, I took up running and I now run three times a week, usually around a steady 10k. For me, it is as much about thinking space as it is fitness, I'm guided by the belief that every step forward is better than none at all. Outside of work, I am a proud grandparent to seven grandchildren, with another one on the way, and I love keeping up with their lives, activities, and growth. A lesser-known fact about me is that in my younger years I could ballroom dance, both on the floor and on roller skates.
Tony Forrester, Head of Programmes and Projects
Two years ago, I took up running and I now run three times a week, usually around a steady 10k. For me, it is as much about thinking space as it is fitness, I'm guided by the belief that every step forward is better than none at all. Outside of work, I am a proud grandparent to seven grandchildren, with another one on the way, and I love keeping up with their lives, activities, and growth. A lesser-known fact about me is that in my younger years I could ballroom dance, both on the floor and on roller skates.
Lucy Gray, Development Manager; Children and Young People
One of my most recent adventures has been hiking up Ben Nevis in Scotland - a great achievement! In my spare time I love to shop on Vinted, keeping sustainable with my wardrobe.
Lucy Gray, Development Manager; Children and Young People
One of my most recent adventures has been hiking up Ben Nevis in Scotland - a great achievement! In my spare time I love to shop on Vinted, keeping sustainable with my wardrobe.
Lucy Playford, Marketing Manager
I'm passionate about storytelling—whether through social media, good-news stories, or short videos—and love sharing how getting active changes lives. A career highlight was hosting an event at 10 Downing Street during my PR days, and you might spot me dancing on old Top of the Pops episodes! Outside work, I'm always on the move—walking, socialising, or juggling life as a mum of three. I enjoy connecting with others who love creative marketing and making a difference.
Lucy Playford, Marketing Manager
I'm passionate about storytelling—whether through social media, good-news stories, or short videos—and love sharing how getting active changes lives. A career highlight was hosting an event at 10 Downing Street during my PR days, and you might spot me dancing on old Top of the Pops episodes! Outside work, I'm always on the move—walking, socialising, or juggling life as a mum of three. I enjoy connecting with others who love creative marketing and making a difference.
Rhiannon Lloyd, Development Officer (Programmes and Projects)
With a background of dance, I have an eclectic music library, I find myself wanting to keep walking to see what plays next! I enjoy the freedom and calm dog walking through fields brings me. I hope my current love for the outdoors continues to grow. My favourite time of year to be outdoors is Autumn.
Rhiannon Lloyd, Development Officer (Programmes and Projects)
With a background of dance, I have an eclectic music library, I find myself wanting to keep walking to see what plays next! I enjoy the freedom and calm dog walking through fields brings me. I hope my current love for the outdoors continues to grow. My favourite time of year to be outdoors is Autumn.
Ailey McLaughlin, Development Manager; Adults
Outside of work, a big part of my life revolves around hockey. Most weeks I am travelling around Yorkshire and the North East to play for my club. I’m passionate about widening access to the sport and helping create inclusive environments where people of all backgrounds feel confident getting involved.
Ailey McLaughlin, Development Manager; Adults
Outside of work, a big part of my life revolves around hockey. Most weeks I am travelling around Yorkshire and the North East to play for my club. I’m passionate about widening access to the sport and helping create inclusive environments where people of all backgrounds feel confident getting involved.
Mary Smith, Sport Welfare Officer
Outside of work, I’m a proud wife and mum to a lively 4-year-old daughter who keeps me moving! We love exploring the outdoors, travelling to new places, and being active together. I also enjoy workouts at home that fit in with my busy life, reading, and spending time with friends and family.
Mary Smith, Sport Welfare Officer
Outside of work, I’m a proud wife and mum to a lively 4-year-old daughter who keeps me moving! We love exploring the outdoors, travelling to new places, and being active together. I also enjoy workouts at home that fit in with my busy life, reading, and spending time with friends and family.
Gemma Armitage, Finance Manager
I provide the finance function for the Active Humber team to make sure they can concentrate on getting more people active. Outside work I am involved in my local theatre, both on and off stage and enjoy spending time with my two daughters as well as getting out for a run when I get chance.
Gemma Armitage, Finance Manager
I provide the finance function for the Active Humber team to make sure they can concentrate on getting more people active. Outside work I am involved in my local theatre, both on and off stage and enjoy spending time with my two daughters as well as getting out for a run when I get chance.
Ian Spencer, Development Manager; Disability and Long Term Health Conditions
Outside of work I am a keen footballer (although not as mobile as I used to be) and try to play at least once a week. I also coach a local u13’s football team which keeps me active as well as being really rewarding seeing the team develop and grow. I’m also a husband and dad of three, all of whom take part in some form of regular sport or physical activity – either football, swimming, netball, rugby etc, so I’m also a part-time taxi driver most evenings and weekends!!
Ian Spencer, Development Manager; Disability and Long Term Health Conditions
Outside of work I am a keen footballer (although not as mobile as I used to be) and try to play at least once a week. I also coach a local u13’s football team which keeps me active as well as being really rewarding seeing the team develop and grow. I’m also a husband and dad of three, all of whom take part in some form of regular sport or physical activity – either football, swimming, netball, rugby etc, so I’m also a part-time taxi driver most evenings and weekends!!
Jake Haylett, Digital Content Officer
Since 2016, I’ve worked with various charities and love contributing to my local community in Hull and East Yorkshire. Outside work, I play drums in the indie band Brosnan, performing across the UK. My interest in digital tech helps me manage the band’s recordings, videos, posters, and social media. I also enjoy daily walks and bouldering.
Jake Haylett, Digital Content Officer
Since 2016, I’ve worked with various charities and love contributing to my local community in Hull and East Yorkshire. Outside work, I play drums in the indie band Brosnan, performing across the UK. My interest in digital tech helps me manage the band’s recordings, videos, posters, and social media. I also enjoy daily walks and bouldering.
Amanda Potter, Strategic Director
I’m excited to explore the wider role of sport & physical activity, whether that’s the mental & physical health benefits, the importance of active design in creating great places for people to live, work and spend their leisure time, sport as a tool to help people develop skills such as communication, leadership and teamwork or as a way of bringing people together in a positive way to share common experiences and interests. A memorable milestone was the announcement in 2005 of London 2012 and working with partners locally and nationally on the nations and regions programme in the following years. Being part of the 1000’s of people who turned out to see the torch relay in Yorkshire, really demonstrated the power of sport in bringing people together and the positivity that generates. Outside of work, I love getting out and about with friends and enjoying the amazing green and blue spaces we have in the region, experiencing everything that nature has to offer whilst looking after my physical and mental wellbeing. You will also sometimes find me in the gym, doing Pilates or swimming to help keep fit. I also love music and the arts, taking the opportunity to explore new experiences.
Amanda Potter, Strategic Director
I’m excited to explore the wider role of sport & physical activity, whether that’s the mental & physical health benefits, the importance of active design in creating great places for people to live, work and spend their leisure time, sport as a tool to help people develop skills such as communication, leadership and teamwork or as a way of bringing people together in a positive way to share common experiences and interests. A memorable milestone was the announcement in 2005 of London 2012 and working with partners locally and nationally on the nations and regions programme in the following years. Being part of the 1000’s of people who turned out to see the torch relay in Yorkshire, really demonstrated the power of sport in bringing people together and the positivity that generates. Outside of work, I love getting out and about with friends and enjoying the amazing green and blue spaces we have in the region, experiencing everything that nature has to offer whilst looking after my physical and mental wellbeing. You will also sometimes find me in the gym, doing Pilates or swimming to help keep fit. I also love music and the arts, taking the opportunity to explore new experiences.
Amber Bakin, Marketing Officer
Here's some facts about me: My favourite hobby is reading fictional books. I love going out for evening walks - I go everyday! I am very creative and love making social media posts that can help make a difference in our community. Taking my Labrador to the beach is one of my favourite weekend activities.
Amber Bakin, Marketing Officer
Here's some facts about me: My favourite hobby is reading fictional books. I love going out for evening walks - I go everyday! I am very creative and love making social media posts that can help make a difference in our community. Taking my Labrador to the beach is one of my favourite weekend activities.
