Jeph Hamilton,
Chair of Fife Sports and Leisure Trust
We are announcing the appointment of our new board chair as we continue to work hard to recover from the impacts of COVID lockdowns and restrictions.
We’re welcoming Jeph Hamilton to take over as chair of the board of directors as our previous chair, Ritchie Campbell, steps down.
Jeph, from Milnathort, is an IT professional running his own consultancy business, and has a long-standing relationship with the trust having acted as interim chief executive in 2019, and prior to taking over the chair role, was vice chair for three years.
Jeph is a passionate supporter of physical activity and its benefit, he has for several years been involved in youth football at grassroots level and used his experience and enthusiasm to coach and manage clubs, strengthening opportunities for young people to participate. He is also a keen golfer and runner.
Jeph said: “I am looking forward to taking over the role of chair of the board for the trust – I had the opportunity to step in prior to Emma Walker’s appointment as chief executive and this gave me the opportunity to work with teams across the organisation and get to know first-hand the fantastic work they do.
“My time as interim chief executive saw the first wave of COVID and I am only too aware of the financial and operational challenges this had, and continues to have, on the trust. I would like to thank Ritchie Campbell for his support and experience over the years and I am pleased to say I will continue to benefit from his input as he will take up a director role on the board.”
Emma Walker, chief executive of Fife Sports and Leisure Trust, said: ““I am very much looking forward to working with Jeph as chair of the board and know he has the skills and experience to help guide the Board of Directors.
“I would also like to add my thanks to Ritchie who served on the board since 2009 and chair from 2011 until October this year. Ritchie has demonstrated huge commitment and leadership through the past few years with all the challenges the pandemic has brought.
“Ritchie has shown myself a great amount of support since I took over as chief executive and his knowledge and guidance has been invaluable. I am looking forward to working with Jeph as chair, particularly as we continue to work through our recovery period and support local people to access community sports and leisure opportunities.”
Convener of Fife Council's Community and Housing Services sub-committee Cllr Judy Hamilton commented: "I want to thank Ritchie for all his service and leadership in his years as Chair of the trust. I am particularly pleased to welcome Jeph to his new role as chair and look forward to working with him in delivering the priorities of Fife Physical Activity and Sport Strategy.
"The increasing joint working that is happening between the council, the trust and all the other partners involved in physical activity and sport, demonstrates the benefits we have of working together to increase health and wellbeing through participation in physical activity and sport across Fife."
The announcement comes as we just launched a recruitment campaign to appoint two new members to its board. Those interested should visit Aspen People for more details.
