Laura Cordingley Chief executive Expand In mid-April 2018, Laura Cordingley started as the new Chief executive at Chance to Shine. Laura previously worked at the Mayor of London’s office as Assistant Director, responsible for Team London, volunteering and sport across the Capital. From 2013-2017 she was Community Development Manager at MCC, where she developed and delivered the Club’s community engagement strategy. Earlier in her career, she held sports development roles at Durham City School Sports Partnership and Volleyball England. Laura previously played for and captained her country at netball. Follow Laura on Twitter
Vanessa Greene Impact & evaluation manager Expand Vanessa joined Chance to Shine as Impact and evaluation manager in May 2016. An experienced researcher, Vanessa has an MSc in Social Research Methods and is interested in research that supports improved outcomes for children and young people. Prior to Chance to Shine, Vanessa worked as Senior Researcher at Pearson, the global education company, evaluating the impact of literacy programmes and vocational qualifications. Vanessa has also worked as Research Officer at the National Children’s Bureau where she carried out independent evaluations for the Department for Education and Department of Health. New to the world of cricket, Vanessa is enjoying visiting schools, hubs and clubs to see children having fun and the joy of the game! [email protected]
Ian Gregory Operations manager - Midlands Expand Ian joined Chance to Shine in November 2016 as Operations manager, having previously worked for Shropshire Cricket Board as Cricket Development Officer. Ian studied at Loughborough University from 2006-2011, gaining a BSc in Sport and Exercise Sciences as well as an MSc in Exercise Physiology. Ian’s life has revolved around the cricket & hockey pitches at Bridgnorth CC, having played at the club as a junior from the age of 7. Ian also supports as a coach at the club when time allows. Ian has a notable fashion sense, which involves the occasional pairing of odd socks when the CTS cameras are around. [email protected]Follow Ian on Twitter
James Hendry Operations Manager - North Expand James joined Chance to Shine in July 2019 as Operations Manager for the North region. Having gained a Master of Arts in Sports Management from the University of Central Lancashire (2010), James spent six years working for Cheshire Cricket Board. Late to cricket by modern standards, James’ first memorable experiences of the game came at the age of 12 – playing his first season of junior cricket (which included his only five-wicket haul to date!), and attending the 1999 World Cup Final at Lords. Since then, his enthusiasm for cricket has spiraled! Away from work, James enjoys nothing more than taking the short walk from his home to Old Trafford, and watching the second best team in the city: Manchester United Football Club. On the rare occasion sport isn’t on his mind, James also has a passion for travel, cinema and technology! [email protected]
Kate Jacques Head of partnerships & fundraising Expand Kate joined Chance to Shine as Head of partnerships and fundraising in March 2016. She has 15 years fundraising experience gained through roles at Breast Cancer Now, The Children’s Society, Diabetes UK and most recently at Join In, the London 2012 legacy charity puts more volunteers into community sport. One of Kate’s career highlights was leading a team at Diabetes UK to secure a charity partnership with Tesco. The partnership engaged staff, customers and suppliers alike and in the first three years raised well over £25m, making a transformational difference to people living with diabetes. Kate enjoys cricket as a spectator from watching international games to cheering on her son at Grayshott Cricket Club. [email protected]
Holly Jones Communications and Digital Assistant Expand Holly joined Chance to Shine in June 2019 as Communications and Digital Assistant, after completing a degree in Geography and International Development at the University of East Anglia. During her time at university she discovered an interest in the benefits of sport as a development tool, writing a dissertation on the success of sport-for-development programmes that educate young people on HIV/AIDS in Eastern and Southern Africa. Holly’s first month with Chance to Shine proved to be very busy as she volunteered at the 2019 Cricket World Cup where she danced at the opening party and got the chance to watch the incredible final at Lords! Outside of work, Holly enjoys cooking (and eating food!). Now living back in London after university, she is looking forward to using Instagram to find the best independent food spots and experimenting in the kitchen. [email protected]
Richard Joyce Operations manager - East Expand Richard is an Operations manager for Chance to Shine with responsibility for Chance to Shine Street nationally and also manages the East Region. He joined the organisation in 2008 when Chance to Shine Street commenced, joining from the Prince of Wales International Business Leaders Forum where he worked with businesses on cross-sector partnerships with charities and governments. As a limited cricketer who first picked up a bat in a London state primary school starved of quality cricket provision in the days before Chance to Shine, Richard has a great personal appreciation of the value of Chance to Shine and the challenges of cricket provision in inner city areas. Richard enjoys working closely with coaches and community leaders on the ground to develop a detailed understanding of the communities where we work and to share learning throughout the Street delivery network to have the strongest possible impact on the young people we work with. [email protected] Follow Richard on Twitter
Shenaz Oozeerally Office & HR assistant Expand Shenaz joined the team in June 2018 after gaining experience through multiple educational establishments. Shenaz has an MSc in Developmental and Educational Psychology from UCL Institute of Education where she developed a passion for doctoral-level research on improving the psychological well-being of young people in education. Prior to Chance to Shine, Shenaz worked in specialist schools for 2 years applying psychological practices that improve the performances of children and young people. Shenaz also worked for Study Group in Sydney, a global company that encourages students from all over the world to apply for further education. Alongside Chance to Shine, Shenaz is a regular gym-goer and loves to salsa. Although fresh to cricket, Shenaz has developed a keen interest while visiting schools that participate in Chance to Shine events. [email protected]
Tristan Paton Trusts & foundations manager Expand Tristan joined Chance to Shine in September 2017 as Trusts and foundations manager. He has several years’ experience of fundraising from a number of previous roles in the arts and charity sectors, most recently spending three years managing a number of high-level grants in the Philanthropy team at Shelter. Opening the batting in his first ever cricket match, Tristan top scored for Corsham School with a gritty five. While that was to be the high point of his playing career, he is now constantly impressed by the far more accomplished achievements of the young people he meets through Chance to Shine. [email protected]
Steve Peyman Operations director Expand Steve is Operations director at Chance to Shine and joined the charity in 2006 having previously worked at Sussex CCC as Development Director. Steve lives in Chichester with his family, and enjoys nothing more than watching his son play hockey, daughter perform song and dance on stage, mountain biking on the South Downs with his dog Dizzy and watching his beloved Liverpool FC. Unfortunately, Steve’s cricket and football days are no more following many injuries and operations, mainly to his left knee – 13 operations! In all, Steve has over 25 years’ experience in sports development, 19 of which have been dedicated to cricket. [email protected]
Nic Platt Head of finance & resources Expand Nic joined Chance to Shine in May 2017 after 7 years working at Locality, a charity who’s mission it is to inspire community action so that every neighbourhood thrives. Prior to Locality, Nic spent 8 years running his own business in the French Alps teaching and renting skibikes. He is a qualified skibike instructor and has been racing as part of the British Skibike Team for 20 years. Nic plays his cricket for the Islanders in a Last Man Stands 20:20 league, bowling surprisingly effective military medium and batting with a lot of bottom hand. [email protected]
Stuart Priscott Operations manager - South West & Wales, South Central Expand Stuart is the Operations manager for Chance to Shine with responsibility for Wales, South West and South England. He has been with the charity since 2005 and believes, then as now, that every child should have the opportunity to play cricket at school as part of their education. He has fulfilled many roles in cricket both on and off the field, increasingly now as a parent watching his two young girls begin their cricketing journey. He is incredibly proud of the County Boards he works with and the many great people that bring our vision to life. He really understands the ‘power of cricket’ to change and improve lives having been diagnosed with a life limiting condition (cystic fibrosis) when young which was greatly ameliorated, both physically / and psychologically, by the opportunity to play cricket. That opportunity wouldn’t have been provided without having a state school that valued sport and a teacher (Pat Colbourne) who recognised his effort and desire. [email protected]
Les Rolt Management accountant Expand Les is the Management Accountant for the charity, having joined Chance to Shine in 2014. Having spent time studying in the US, Les is currently working towards a degree in Applied Accounting and ACCA chartered accountancy certification at the London School of Business & Finance. Sports have always been a major interest for Les. Having been named Docklands Power League Player of the Season in 2016 he has retired from most forms of strenuous activity, and now spends his time providing a cab service for his two sons as they compete in cricket, football and cross country. Away from the office he enjoys nothing more than spending time with his boys, visiting castles, playing Fortnite, and watching the London Lions basketball team. Les is passionate about our projects, with a special fondness for the work we do in hospital schools, and is proud of the difference Chance to Shine had made to millions of children across the country. [email protected]
Daniel Robinson Special events manager Expand Daniel Robinson is the Special Events Manager at Chance to Shine, having made the move across from New Zealand in early 2018. Before seeing the light and moving to the other side of the world, Daniel worked at New Zealand Cricket in a variety of roles across Marketing, Communications and Events. As a proud Kiwi, Dan is never afraid to bring up the All Blacks, New Zealand weather and every now and then, the Black Caps. He is a football and cricket fanatic, having played both sports at representative level during his teens. In his spare time Daniel enjoys travelling Europe, critiquing theatre, and the occasional Baileys. [email protected]
Gabrielle Russell Major gift manager Expand Gaby joined Chance to Shine as the Major gift manager in June 2018. An enthusiastic fundraiser with expertise in leading the development of new strategic partnerships with Major Donors and Corporates, along with previous experience in the world of Direct Fundraising. The past 12 years’ worth of experience was gained through roles at Oxfam Great Britain, with the majority of time spent at Oxfam Australia, with a shorter contract at Oxfam Thailand and International Women’s Development Agency. Quite the global traveller having spent much of the past 10 years living overseas in Australia with a stint in Bangkok, Gaby is now back on her home ground of Surrey and finally learning all there is to know about cricket! In her first week at Chance to Shine her lunchtime view was of a match celebrating the 150 year anniversary tribute to the first Aboriginal team that played against England, which felt like the perfect welcome home, from her two homes. [email protected]
Adam Sofroniou Marketing & communications officer Expand Adam is the Marketing & communications officer at Chance to Shine and joined in 2016 having previously worked in a similar role for Solihull Council. A cricketer of limited talent, Adam’s career highlight was captaining the Radway 2nd XI to promotion from Division Five of the South Northants Cricket League – a standard so low the division no longer exists. Adam enjoys getting out of the office and visiting schools and projects to see the impact of the work being done by the charity across the country. [email protected]