HSP Appoints New Board Champions to Strengthen Key Strategic Priorities

HSP is delighted to announce the appointment of three new Board Champions who will help provide leadership, support and challenge across three important cross-cutting themes that are fundamental to delivering HSP's mission of creating a more active, inclusive and sustainable Hertfordshire.

The newly appointed Board Champions are:

• Rhys Evans - Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Board Champion
• Stewart Hunt - Safeguarding & Welfare Board Champion
• Andrew Anastasiou - Environmental Sustainability Board Champion

These champion roles recognise the importance of ensuring that equality, safeguarding and environmental sustainability are embedded throughout HSP's work. As cross-cutting themes, they influence how programmes are designed and delivered, how partnerships are developed, and how HSP creates positive and lasting impact for communities across Hertfordshire.

Working closely with the HSP Board and executive team, each Champion will act as a critical friend, sounding board, and source of check and challenge in their specialist area. They will help ensure that HSP continues to uphold high standards, identify opportunities for improvement, and keep these priorities at the forefront of strategic decision-making.

Rhys Evans, HSP's new EDI Board Champion, brings a strong commitment to place-based community development through his work with Peabody, where he focuses on tackling deprivation, reducing isolation and improving wellbeing within local communities.

Stewart Hunt, appointed as Safeguarding & Welfare Board Champion, has more than 20 years' experience across sport, physical activity and community development. As Director of Apex 360, he has helped shape inclusive coaching opportunities for children, young people, coaches and volunteers, and is an experienced safeguarding tutor.

Andrew Anastasiou, HSP's Environmental Sustainability Board Champion, has a great track record leading strategic initiatives, ranging from regional Doorstep Sport growth to managing high-stakes Home Office and Sport England projects. He will provide guidance and challenge to help ensure environmental sustainability is considered across the organisation's work, building on his experience as Head of Fundraising and Partnerships at Goods for Good – a global charity with sustainability at its core.

You can view all our Board's full profiles here. 

Commenting on the appointments, HSP Chair Hester Hearn said:

We are delighted to welcome Rhys, Stewart and Andrew into these important Champion roles. Equality, safeguarding and environmental sustainability are all essential to achieving our vision. Their expertise, insight and constructive challenge will help ensure these priorities remain embedded across everything we do, enabling us to create greater impact for local communities."

The appointments reflect HSP's ongoing commitment to strong governance and ensuring that key strategic themes are championed at Board level as the organisation works with partners to make an active lifestyle accessible, inclusive, safe and sustainable for all.