Marvin OnumonuSport 4 Life UK has added three trustees to its board as it looks to expand its work with young people aged 11 to 29 in Birmingham and beyond.
The charity supports young people to move into sustained education, training, and employment, using sport to help build life skills.
In the past year, it supported nearly 4,000 young people to improve confidence, resilience, and employability.
Carolyn Keenan, head of Aston University’s student enterprise and entrepreneurship team and programme manager for the Aston Centre for Enterprise and Entrepreneurship, joins the board with over 10 years’ experience in entrepreneurship education.
Keenan has helped more than 900 students and graduates launch businesses in Birmingham and has 15 years’ experience in advertising and recruitment consultancy.
She holds a master’s degree in careers studies & coaching from the University of Warwick.
Gurdeep Boparai, interim deputy general counsel at IPF plc, has a background in corporate mergers and acquisitions.
Boparai has worked in senior roles in financial services including company secretary and head of governance at Coventry Building Society, where she led governance on a large banking acquisition, developed environmental, social and governance (ESG) strategy, and achieved the first B Corp accreditation in the mutual sector.
Chris Sharman, founder of Kidztivity and a certified non-executive director, brings over 30 years’ experience in sport, leisure, and fitness.
He has worked with start-ups, entrepreneurs, and brands such as David Lloyd, Disney, and Youth Sport Trust.
Sharman specialises in programmes, mentoring, and training for young people to be active and build confidence.
Tom Clarke-Forrest, founder & CEO of Sport 4 Life UK, said: “We’re thrilled to welcome Carolyn, Gurdeep, and Chris to our Board.
“Each brings exceptional skills, experience, and passion that will strengthen our governance and help us deliver even greater impact for the young people we serve.
“Their insight will be invaluable as we continue to develop and adapt in an ever-changing environment.”
