Three new Directors to join the England Netball Board

With a vacancy on the Board and a number of current Directors due to reach their maximum term, England Netball has been conducting a recruitment process to identify new Directors to continue to drive the organisation towards its purpose and achievement of the Adventure Strategy.

Following a thorough recruitment process the Board have confirmed the appointment of David Mahoney MBE and Tim Rolfe to the two independent vacancies. In addition, Jill Emney will be Co-opted to the Board for an initial one-year term before taking up an Independent Director position which will become vacant in September 2024.

David Mahoney MBE

David has spent the last seven years as Chief Operating Officer at the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and prior to this, oversaw the strategy, insights, HR, integrity and public policy teams as the ECB’s Chief Strategy Officer.

Before joining the ECB, David held a number of senior roles at Ofcom, the UK communications regulator, including Director of Policy and Chief Advisor to the CEO.  He was also seconded into Government in 2009 as a Director of the Digital Britain Report, which examined the transformational nature of digital technologies and the policy responses needed as a result.

A qualified lawyer who specialised in competition and media law before joining Ofcom, David brings a wealth of skills and demonstrable knowledge and experience within the sports sector. He is currently a member of the Sport England Board.

Speaking on his appointment David Mahoney said: “It is a great privilege to be appointed to the Board of England Netball at such an exciting moment for the sport. I have watched with great pleasure my daughters fall in love with the game and the amazing World Cup performance provides the perfect springboard to grow the game for the next generation.”

Tim Rolfe

Tim Rolfe is a Human Resources professional with over 25 years of experience in senior HR roles. After working in HR consulting, latterly as a Director in EY’s Human Capital practice, Tim held senior HR roles in RSA plc and Prudential plc, most recently as the Group Human Resources Director for Prudential plc. He currently runs his own independent HR consulting business, providing HR advisory services to financial services sector companies. He has sat on a number of subsidiary company Remuneration and Audit Committees as well as acting as a charity Trustee.

Speaking on his appointment Tim Rolfe said: “It’s an honour and a privilege to be invited to join the Board of England Netball at a time of such tremendous progress. I’m excited to have the opportunity to support the values of England Netball, and contribute to the Adventure Strategy and ongoing growth of such a great and valued sport.”

Jill Emney

Jill is a Chartered Accountant and has been a Partner at the professional services firm, PwC, for more than ten years. Jill specialises in Governance, Risk and Compliance and has significant experience in helping clients to solve complex problems as well as developing talent in leadership roles. Her portfolio includes multinationals as well as not-for-profit and large private businesses and she has worked across a range of sectors.

Speaking on her appointment Jill Emney commented: “Netball has always been an important part of my life and I am delighted to be joining the Board at such an exciting time for England Netball. I am looking forward to using my skills and experience to contribute to the ongoing success of the sport and to playing my part in its future development.”

Bridget Blow, Chair of the England Netball Board added: “I am delighted to welcome Tim, David and Jill to the England Netball Board, they each have invaluable skills and experience to bring to the Board. I look forward to their contributions in helping to guide us on our ambitious agenda to professionalise the game and to bring the grassroots netball opportunity to all women and girls.”

The England Netball Board, which is responsible for overseeing England Netball’s strategies, policies and business management, is comprised of a mixture of Nominated and Independent Non-Executive Directors from different backgrounds. The existing Board will also be joined by two further Directors elected by the membership. This election process is currently ongoing and the successful candidates will be announced at the AGM in September.