Governance
Our Strategy 2022-2032
“Our strategy is driven by an ambitious vision: one where everyone has the opportunity to enjoy a positive experience of boccia. This is not only about the future of the sport, but about improving lives through the power of boccia. Together, we can build a sustainable and successful future.”
Our Vision
Everyone has the opportunity to gain a positive experience of boccia.
Our Mission
To create positive, engaging, and accessible opportunities for physically disabled people to play boccia.
Our STRATEGIC GOALS
Step 1
Build a nationwide infrastructure
Strengthen and connect the boccia community across England.
Step 2
Raise awareness of boccia
Ensure more people know about the sport and its life-changing impact.
Step 3
Create opportunities for young people
Give every household with a physically disabled child or young person the chance to play boccia.
READ our STRATEGY
Board Members
Boccia England, as a Registered Charity and a Company Limited by Guarantee, is governed by a Board of Directors, the majority of whom are Independent.
Our charity acts in accordance with our Articles of Association.
The Board operate following an agreed Terms of Reference.
Our board is made up of seven Directors/Trustees, further details can be found below.
Mark Gannon
Independent Chair
Mark joined as Independent Chair of the Boccia England Board in 2022.
Mark holds the role of CEO of UK Coaching and has had a long-standing career in the sector working in a range of senior roles.
He first became involved in boccia as a teacher where he regularly taught and delivered boccia to encourage inclusive practice in Physical Education and School Sport.
Mark said of his appointment, “I am delighted to be joining a great team who look after boccia in England. Boccia can be played by everyone, but it also has the power to truly change the lives of people with physical disabilities. A truly inclusive activity and sport for all, it can connect families, friends, and communities where everyone can participate.”
Owen Watson
Senior Independent Director
Owen is a qualified accountant with experience in the sports sector and previous Board experience as Treasurer.
He has executive level experience working on strategic commercial financial analysis and taking the lead on financial contracts.
Within the board Owen is the Chair of the Nominations and Interim Chair of the People committee.
Mike Ballantyne
Treasurer
Mike is a qualified accountant with a career in public organisations and charities specialising in regeneration, delivery of major projects, job creation and the environment. He has extensive board level experience as Finance Director, Company Secretary and Treasurer.
His involvement with Boccia began over 20 years ago when he chaired the board of governors of a special school in Birmingham.
Mike said of his appointment “this is a fantastic opportunity to use my financial and managerial experience to support Boccia England in its efforts to raise public awareness of Boccia. Boccia is an activity that can be enjoyed by everyone – no matter what their abilities”
Within the board Mike is the Chair of the Finance, Audit and Risk Committee.
Naeman Symonds-Baig
Independent Director
Naeman is the Partnership Engagement Manager at London & Partners, having over 9 years’ experience of winning corporate partnerships and managing strategic accounts at national and international charities.
As well as being part of the full board, Naeman is a member of the Governance Committee and supports the organisational fundraising strategy.
Chris Lee
Independent Director
Chris is a Chartered Certified Accountant with experience across a range of sectors including sales, retail, property, social care and health & fitness.
As well as an in depth knowledge of finance, Chris has experience as a Company Secretary and as a Trustee.
Chris is the Chair of the Governance committee and member of the Finance, Audit and Risk, Nominations and People committees.
Samantha Rock
Independent Director & board safeguarding lead
Sam is passionate about making sport accessible to everyone at all levels and in all roles, from player to workforce to spectator.
With over 10 years’ experience working in disability sport, Sam’s experience spans both grassroots and elite sport.
Sam has been responsible for increasing grassroots participation, developing workforce education, delivering safeguarding and disciplinary functions as well as coordinating training, competition programmes for GB athletes and supporting international classification compliance processes.
POLICIES & DOCUMENTS
Annual Trustees Report and Financial Accounts March 2024
Boccia England Articles of Association
Classification
Clean Sport Commitment Statement
Codes of Conduct
Conflict of Interest Policy
Complaints
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
Health and Safety Arrangements
General Data Protection and Handling Data Requests
The Boccia England Board has the following Sub-Committees and Working Groups.
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Governance Committee:
Governance Committee Terms of Reference
- Responsible for overseeing governance issues, including finances, policies and fundraising.
- The Chair of the Governance Committee (GOV) is Chris Lee, Independent Director.
- Meetings are held at least 3 times per year.
- Board members attending the committee are, Chris Lee, Mark Gannon, Naeman Symonds-Baig
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Sport Committee:
Sport Committee Terms of Reference
- Responsible for advising the Board in fulfilling its strategic responsibilities related to the governance, policies, and strategic outcomes of the sport under the judication of Boccia England.
- The Chair of the Sport Committee is Samantha Rock, Independant Director
- Meetings are held at least 2 times per year.
- Board members attending the committee are, Samantha Rock, Will Evans and Sarah Gray
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Nomination Committee:
Nomination Committee Terms of Reference
- Responsible for reviewing the size and structure of the Board to ensure succession planning, and to be involved in Board and senior management recruitment.
- The Chair of the Nominations (NOMS) Committee is Owen Watson, Senior Independent Director.
- Meetings are held at least 1 time per year.
- Board members attending the committee are, Owen Watson, Mark Gannon and Chris Lee.
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Finance, Risk and Audit Committee:
Finance, Risk and Audit Committee Terms of Reference
- Responsible for overseeing the internal and external audits of the organisation and reviewing annual reports.
- The Chair of the Finance, Audit and Risk (FAR) Committee is Mike Ballantyne, Treasurer.
- Meetings are held at least 3 time per year.
- Board members attending the committee are, Mike Ballantyne, Mark Gannon, Chris Lee
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People Committee:
People Committee Terms of Reference
- Responsible for reviewing the company people plan, employee pay arrangements, employee policies and expenses policies.
- The Interim Chair of the Governance Committee is Owen Watson, Senior Independent Director.
- Meetings are held at least 1 time per year.
- Board members attending the committee are, Owen Watson, Mark Gannon and Chris Lee.
Boccia England is fully committed to the principles of equality of opportunity and to ensuring that no-one in the sport is unlawfully discriminated against regardless of individual circumstances or background. We want to ensure that the sport of boccia is accessible to all and that there are no barriers to participation across the organisation, from players and volunteers to staff and Board members.
Boccia England recognises that individuals who share one or more protected characteristics may find it challenging to participate fully in sports related activities and accepts that a more pro-active approach needs to be adopted towards those individuals and groups who do not traditionally access boccia.
We will also encourage partner organisations including members, clubs, affiliated associations, suppliers, sponsors and customers to adopt and demonstrate their commitment to the principles and practice of equality as set out in our Equality and Diversity policy and action plan.
A key aim of the Boccia England Board is to achieve greater diversity on our Board including but not limited to gender, age, diverse ethnic communities and disability, with a view for its profile to represent its member base . As part of this, we maintain a target of having a minimum of 30% of each gender on the Board, are committed to progressing towards achieving gender parity, continuing to have a variety of ages and increasing our disabled and ethnically diverse community representation.
As the National Governing Body for a disability sport we recognise diversity and we value everyone’s individual differences. We strive to maintain and continuously improve our working practices to benefit all those who participate in our sport. Anyone who has the desire to be involved in the sport of boccia should be encouraged to take up the opportunity and coached and nurtured to reach their potential.
Boccia England Board of Directors
Equality Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Priorities 2024-2026
Click here to view our action plan
Our Current Board profile is:
Gender:
Female 33.33%
Male 67.67%
Ethnicity
66.67% White British
16.67% White Asian
16.67% Caribbean
Disability:
0% Disabled
Age Range:
35-64