Our Team

Paul joined Active Oxfordshire in August 2018 as part of the transformation project. Paul has previously worked at Sport England (and Sports Council as was) at a national and regional level. Having worked in local government for over 10 years Paul was part of the team that helped create Bromley Mytime as a new leisure trust in 2004. Before coming to Oxfordshire Paul worked as a consultant and was a Lead Quest Assessor working across the country with facilities and development teams.

Favourite Motto: Do not curse the darkness, light a candle

Hero or Heroine: Hugh Laurie. So brilliant at everything he touches!

Josh joined Active Oxfordshire in Summer 2016, in the role of Youth Sport Officer, coordinating the Oxfordshire School Games and delivering events on behalf of Active Oxfordshire. Since then Josh has fulfilled the role of Youth Sport Manager and now leads on the Children & Young People work of Active Oxfordshire as well as Safeguarding.

Before joining Active Oxfordshire, Josh worked in delivering Physical Education and coaching to young people across the Thames Valley.

Favourite Motto: Aude Sapere – Dare to be Wise

Hero or Heroine: As a Welshman growing up in rural Devon, Scott Gibbs' try in the 1999 5Nations to prevent an England Grand Slam gave me a few months of bragging rights.

Lucy Tappin - Active Communities Manager (Lead for Mental Health, Older People and Co-Lead for Disability and Long Term Health Conditions.

Lucy has worked within the Sport and Physical Activity sector across Oxfordshire since 2002.

Lucy has specialised experience and extensive knowledge in developing and promoting physically activity opportunities for people with disabilities and mental health conditions.

She has been involved in participating, officiating, coaching and volunteering at a Local and National level and has led the delivery of Active Body Healthy Mind, Boccia Revolution, OxForward, InSport, Wheels for all and many cross cutting projects to encourage people to be more Active.

Favourite Motto - No matter what life throws at you, there is always somebody worse off than you. Be thankful for what you have.

Hero or heroine - Tanni Grey Thompson - gifted and courageous sportswomen, influential and iconic figure, massive ambassador for disability sport.

Steph joined Active Oxfordshire in October 2018 as the new Children and Young People Manager to deliver Sport England funded programmes. Steph's expertise lies in volunteer and event management where she has worked for the past 10 years in various roles and areas. Highlights have included recruiting volunteers for film premiers in London, the London Marathon and organising Countywide sports days for elderly residents living in Care Homes. Steph has always been a passionate sports player and sees the benefit that sport and physical activity can have, both physically and mentally. She is really looking forward to working with children and young people to enable them to be more active and make a real difference to the lives of those living in Oxfordshire.

Favourite Motto: "We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give"

Hero or Heroine: My mum. Full of energy, selfless and never gives up, she is my heroine!

Annie joined Active Oxfordshire in April 2019 to work collaboratively and strategically with key partners and stakeholders across the county to reduce physical inactivity, improve population health and address priority health needs in line with the NHS Long Term Plan. Annie has extensive experience in strategic and operational management of Health business at National and European level, with specific expertise in physical activity and cardiovascular health. Previously, Annie managed various community health services, working closely with Public Health Commissioners and has just completed a 2-year project working as the Executive Director of the National Institute for Prevention and Cardiovascular Health, at the West of Ireland Cardiac Foundation, based in Galway, Ireland.

Favourite motto: You are the CEO of your own life – go for it!

Lucy joined Active Oxfordshire in August 2019 having previously worked alongside the team for work experience during her studies at Oxford Brookes University. Recently, taking up the role of Communications and Engagement Executive, Lucy works on specific areas of work across the organisation alongside developing our website and e-communications.

A fitness fanatic, Lucy takes part in various classes throughout the week at her local gym.

Favourite Motto: "Who you are tomorrow begins with what you do today".

Matt joined Active Oxfordshire in January 2020. Matt has worked in local government, third sector community, and sport organisations as well as national and regional level for Sport England. In 2011, he took a break from the sport for development sector to write a book; 'The Other Olympics', and work as a journalist in Myanmar.

Hero/Heroine : Tommie Smith, for his use of sport as a tool for good, both in his 1968 Olympic protest and his subsequent youth and education work.

Helen joined Active Oxfordshire in April 2020 in the role of Communications and Engagement Manager. Helen leads on all aspects of external and internal communications including managing key campaigns, website and digital development, increasing organisational profile, engagement events and media relations. Before joining Active Oxfordshire Helen has worked within marketing, communications and fundraising in the third sector since 2005 for a range of organisations including ActionAid, regional hospices and, most recently, Aspire Oxford.

Favourite motto: "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed people can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has." (Margaret Mead)

Richard joined Active Oxfordshire in December 2021 following over 15 years working in the leisure and Community Development sector. As Business and Programme Manager Richard will be supporting delivery of our Sport England funded programmes and Active Oxfordshire's 'Healthy for life' pillar of work, promoting and creating opportunities for older people, adults with long-term health conditions and those living with a mental health problem to benefit from physical activity to improve their health.

Richard is also responsible for overseeing Active Oxfordshire's governance to ensure effective management and administration of the charity.

With specialist experience in exercise prescription, including exercise on referral and cardiac rehab, Richard is passionate about the positive impact of sport and physical activity for everyone and continues to work as a Personal Trainer around his role at Active Oxfordshire.

Richard regularly attends the gym and enjoys finding different ways to be active, including years of playing football locally.

Favourite Motto: "Someone else is dreaming about the things you take for granted"

Harmy joined Active Oxfordshire in August 2021 and is a part of our extended Marketing and Communications team. Harmy studied Sports Development and Coaching Sciences at Bournemouth University, before gaining experience in a Secondary School, the Leisure Industry and most recently Project Management.

His role will encompass various projects and interventions including: 1) Developing our work internally and externally around Equity, Diversity and Inclusion. 2) Supporting and facilitating the Active Ambassador Programme as it grows and acts as a key pipeline for community representation throughout all of our work. 3) Finally, working closely with our Healthy Active Children and Young People team on various projects.

Harmy is a lover of sports and most heavily focuses on running, currently training for an Ultra Marathon in 2022.

Favourite Motto: "Life is like riding a bike. To keep your balance, you must keep moving"

Bev qualified as a Management Accountant in 1997. She went on to spend 18 years climbing the corporate ladder in the Motor Industry, during which, she lived and worked in Sweden for a few years before achieving UK Chief Financial Officer of a well-known car brand. More recently whilst balancing a young family, Bev has worked part time for a small manufacturing business in Oxfordshire before moving to Active Oxfordshire in April 2021. As Finance Manager at Active Oxfordshire, Bev manages all aspects of the finance function which includes forecasting, budgeting, audit work, reporting and day to day finance management.

Bev enjoys going to the gym, cycling with her family and walking the countryside with her cocker spaniel.

Favourite quote/motto: Success is not final, failure is not fatal, it is the courage to continue that counts.

Hayley joined Active Oxfordshire at the start of 2022 to run our inclusive sports programme, which will support vulnerable children and young people to improve their health, well-being and life chances through sport.

Access Sport Oxfordshire is a new collaboration between Active Oxfordshire and Access Sport, with generous support from Mark Beard, High Sheriff in nomination for 2022-23. Having worked for three years as Development Manager for Access Sport in Oxford, Hayley will be taking the inclusive sports programme county wide. She is looking forward to working with community sports clubs and groups to enable them to open their doors to everyone.

A keen netballer, Hayley also brings with her experience in competitive sport, having worked for a number of years as Event Manager for British Universities and Colleges Sport (BUCS) .