Damien Smith Email & Phone Number

I have been working in the physical activity, sport, leisure and wellbeing sector for over 23 years in public, private and voluntary sector organisations. I’m a credibly leader with the ability to instil confidence & shared purpose in others. A creative thinker & strong advocate of that in others. My reputation as a strategic & operational leader has been built upon a set of core principles that I live throughout my work. Im experienced at shaping the direction of organisations and driving the vision, mission and deliverable objectives with a team of staff and board of trustees. I am able to use my systems leadership skills, values and disposition in order to steer conversations, challenge the norm, bring people together and find common ground. I have significant line management experience and in financial and business planning, budget forecasting and project management. I’m responsible for managing a range of national to local contracts and funding arrangements as well as constantly looking for opportunities to attract funding and capacity that is in line with our charitable objectives, strategy and mission & vision.I have significant experience in sports governance and equality, diversity & inclusion work. My voluntary roles enable me to practice and hone my governance and leadership skills while also contributing to causes and charities I value and take personal pride from including as current Vice Chair of Trustees for Harrogate Town Community Foundation.I have a track record of building relationships that last and an experienced leader in the voluntary & community sector with a ‘generous leadership’ approach, providing support to charities & organisations in return for expertise, insight, and mutual benefit. I have a proven track record of engaging with a wide variety of groups, often with significant and stubborn inequalities that make it harder for them to be physically active or to access existing provision. My skill set has grown vastly over the years to include expertise in leadership, advocacy, change management, influencing others, marketing, IT and open data, systems mapping and partner profiling, financial management, safeguarding, diversity & inclusion, asset based community development, resource management and large scale event management to name a few. I’m degree educated having completed a BA (Hons) Physical Education Degree at Leeds Becket University (formerly Leeds Metropolitan). A committed, hardworking, capable and respected leader who gives my all for the organisation I represent to thrive and be successful.

Listed skills include Strategic Planning, Event Management, Coaching, Sports, and 16 others.