Active Partnerships National Organisation announces new board members

The Active Partnerships National Organisation (APNO) has announced the appointment of Dr Jeanelle de Gruchy, Deputy Chief Medical Officer and lead for the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID), and Dr Andy Daly-Smith, Co-Director for the Centre for Applied Educational Research, to its board of trustees.

Both Jeanelle and Andy have been appointed as independent non-executive directors and will provide a focus on health and social care and children and young people, respectively.

When it comes to health and social care, the Active Partnerships network is playing a leading role in connecting and convening key national and local partners, and as a public health specialist working at a national strategic level, Jeanelle will bring expertise, insight, experience, and energy to this board role.

Passionate about reducing physical inactivity across all ages and promoting movement and activity, Jeanelle’s belief in an active life as a key way to maintain health and manage any physical or mental ill-health aligns perfectly with the objectives of the Active Partnerships Network.

Speaking about her appointment, Jeanelle said: “I’m delighted to be joining the Active Partnerships board and helping make being active a social norm for everyone. Being physically active has such a positive impact on our physical and mental health, from our development as children through to being healthy adults and aging well. APNO has a key role in supporting the networks in local places and communities to build their knowledge and realise their potential in getting people moving.”

Andy has been involved in the sport, physical activity, exercise, and educational sectors for more than 25 years, and will bring a wealth of knowledge to the board. The Active Partnerships network leads several initiatives that provide children and young people with more opportunities to move, and Andy’s experience in systems leadership for physical activity with children and young people will be invaluable as the APNO continues to deliver on its mission of making active lifestyles the norm for everyone.

Following confirmation of his appointment, Andy said: “I am really looking forward to joining the Active Partnerships National Organisation board and supporting the network to help children and young people to be more physically active.

“Having co-led the Bradford local delivery pilot, which specifically focused on children and young people, I hope to bring some valuable insight to share with the national organisation and with active partnerships.

“As Sport England’s place-expansion work progresses, I look forward to helping the Active Partnerships National Organisation and to working with the network to help champion place-based working with children and young people.”

Commenting on the appointments, Dave Capper, Chair of the APNO Board said, “We are thrilled to welcome Dr Jeanelle De Gruchy and Dr Andy Daly-Smith to our board of trustees.  These are two key positions on our board, and their diverse backgrounds and combined wealth of experience will be instrumental in driving the Active Partnerships National Organisation forward as we continue to connect and support the Active Partnerships network and work together to make it easier for everyone, no matter where they live, their age or their circumstances, to enjoy an active life.”

Joining Jeanelle and Andy on the board will be two new ‘related’ board members as Clare Morley, CEO of Rise, and Vicky Joel, CEO of Think Active, have also been appointed as trustees.

Both will be able to bring to the board a deeper understanding of what it is like to work at a local level and of the regional variations that exist across the Active Partnerships network.

The new board members have now begun their roles, but official ratification will be sought at the Active Partnerships National Organisation AGM in December.