Benjamin Sword Email & Phone Number

Camberley, Gb

Camberley, England, United Kingdom

I manage a team whose broad remit includes delivering the Council’s engagement programme with the public and partners, the strategic promotion of physical activity and healthy lifestyles, and the Council’s extensive events programme. This role requires the ability to work closely with a range of stakeholders from varying backgrounds, demanding strong people and project management skills.Highlights include:• Author of Surrey Heath's Physical Activity Strategy, 'Moving Forward', with ambitious plans to address local health inequalities and support all residents to be active regardless of background, circumstances or ability • Managed "Whole Systems Approach to Obesity" project, building a network of partnerships across public health, educational establishments, businesses, community and voluntary groups, schools and beyond• Lead roles in development and end-to-end implementation of large scale events from Ice Rinks to Triathlons to Carnivals to Beer Festivals• Chair of Surrey Heath Show committee – annual event raising funds for good causes, attracting up to 8000 people• Implemented innovative ways to engage residents, staff and elected members to do more physical activity including through Sport Relief’s “Step Challenge”, collectively walking over 15 million steps in a month period• Worked with Lawn Tennis Association to secure grant funding to refurbish local tennis facilities and introduce online booking and annual membership systems, resulting in easier customer journey and increased income generation• Overseen consistent improvement in local activity levels according to Sport England “Active Lives” Survey• Revamped volunteer engagement programme resulting in increase of volunteers supporting Council leisure and events initiatives by over 300%• Lead for Borough Council’s Covid-19 welfare response which involved building team from scratch to make up to 5000 calls a week, providing critical support to vulnerable residents

Camberley, Surrey

Similar to a traditional Sports Development Officer, this role demanded the use of leisure as a vehicle to influence wider social agendas such as health and wellbeing, social inclusion and community development.I achieved success by collaborating with a wide variety of partners in the public, private and voluntary sectors and by managing innovative projects which produced mutually beneficial outcomes. Projects included the creation of a Sports Development Plan, a borough ‘Playing Pitch Strategy’ and a major contribution towards the launch of the Council’s new third-generation (3G) artificial pitch. Other highlights included:• Key role in planning and delivery of both local and national-scale events, such as stage start for “Tour of Britain” cycling race • Borough Co-coordinator for Surrey Youth Games, the largest annual youth sports festival in the county with over 2000 young people taking part each year• Successful rebrand of 'Surrey Heath Sports Awards', doubling YOY figure of generated sponsorship while significantly reducing event running costs• Supporting local sports clubs/community groups to secure external funding and operate more efficiently• Input on briefs, leases, specifications, strategies and contracts for sports and leisure initiatives• Creation of press releases and social media content to maximise engagement with residents• Chair of Surrey Sports Development Forum and member of Active Surrey Partner Forum, Surrey Heath Sports Council, Surrey ‘Clubmark’ panel and Surrey Safeguarding panel amongst others

Oxford

Super Camps operates multi-activity camps during the school holidays at over 80 prestigious schools and leisure venues nationally, and as Divisional Manager I am responsible for the strategic planning and delivery of up to 25 camps across a large geographic area. My responsibilities include researching and preparing material for the director team, investigating areas of potential external funding, scrutinizing the performance of my camps and managing delicate business relationships with a range of clients to name but a few.Under my guidance as Product Manager of our "A Passion For..." brand, we revamped our programmes and ran more workshops in more schools during the 2013 season than ever before, turning over in excess of £150k for the company. Through the design of exciting course material and delivery of an effective marketing campaign "A Passion For..." hit it's challenging target during the 2013 season, reaching 104% of it's target child days sold vs. 87 per cent in 2012, making it a highly profitable arm for the company.• Successfully delivered on KPI’s for region in 2012 and 2013, including those related to finance, camp numbers and customer satisfaction• Lead on product development, articulately presenting new ideas to company directors• Manage and support up to 150 coaches/volunteers/managers in one season• Involved in recruitment of and deliver regional training/assessment days to 100s of new staff members annually• Negotiate the best possible contracts with schools and third parties to enhance company margins• Successfully manage and adhere to budget for “A Passion For…” programme• Responsible for sourcing and purchasing of £1000’s of equipment at most competitive price• Maximise potential sales opportunities by obtaining information/leads and sharing with sales/marketing

Various

Vinco Sport is one of the UK’s leading websites for news, interviews and blogs surrounding track and field athletics. I was an author of topical news reports for the website, which attracted over 40,000 views in 2013.I worked voluntarily on a part time basis to further develop my skill set.

Bournemouth, United Kingdom

Training Dayz’ are a small Bournemouth-based company that provide various activities for children of all ages. I worked part time to develop my experience while at University.• Coached wide of range of sports to children aged from 4-16 years old• Listened to customer feedback and worked alongside Managing Director to improve systems • Managed associated administrative duties

Canada

Working as a successful coach and simultaneously as a camp director in Canada for the biggest deliverer of soccer camps in North America, I thrived as a role model to the less experienced coaches and acted as a liaison between the company and their clients.• Secured 100% re-sign on camps for following year on behalf of Challenger Sports • Signed up 3 new camp contracts, generating Challenger Sports circa $5500 • Responsible for group performance from a corporate perspective • Manager of frequently changing coaching team, trouble-shooter if they needed assistance • Managed administrative duties including rental cars, camp numbers, health and safety etc. • Dealt with any client issues and made best possible decisions for all parties in order to reach a solution • Received extremely positive feedback from employers, clients and parents • Promoted company by word of mouth and established important relationships with clients and parents to ensure customer satisfaction

After an extensive selection process I secured a position working in the USA for Major League Soccer Camps in Chicago, developing myself tremendously on both a personal and professional level and networking with key industry figures.• Taught Soccer to children aged 3-18, ability ranging from total beginners to aspiring professionals in 8 different states • Learnt adaptability coaching summer camps in different locations every week with different facilities • Worked with and learnt from coaches from countries all over the world • Spent fall season working with multiple teams at one club, producing development plans, team newsletters, mid-season and end of season reviews and more • Left legacy of more children and adults playing the game in the areas I worked in than before I left

Alton, Hampshire

Bachelor Of Science (Bsc), Sports Development And Coaching Sciences

Education record