Join the first ICAS insights of 2018, in association with Investec Wealth & Investment, to hear from leading sporting figures who will discuss how we restore the trust in sport. During the past year especially, news headlines have been dominated by scandalous allegations of doping, match-fixing, bribery, tax fraud and cheating.
This leaves an important question: is it too late to restore integrity to sports before corruption wins the game?
There will be a tour of the grounds after the talk.
Who will join the panel:
- Chair - Dr Rimla Akhtar MBE CA, One Young World Ambassador
- William Bush, Executive Director, Premier League
- Paul Elliott CBE, Former Footballer and FA Board Member
- Steven Finn, Professional Cricketer, England & Wales Cricket Board
- Annamarie Phelps CBE, Chairman, British Rowing
- Michele Verroken, Founding Director, Sporting Integrity Ltd
When & where:
15 February 2018. 6pm for 6.30pm, concluding by 7.30pm, followed by tours and networking
Lord's Cricket Ground, St John's Wood Rd NW8 8QN
More about the speakers:
Dr Rimla Akhtar MBE CA
Dr Rimla Akhtar MBE is that rare individual who has lived global business and elite sport. In 2014, she became the first Muslim and Asian woman on the FA Council in addition to her role on the Inclusion Advisory Board at the FA and in 2015 was awarded an MBE for her contribution to equality and diversity in sport. Her strategic and boardroom roles extend to her appointments as an Independent Director of the Sports Ground Safety Authority, Independent Director and Trustee of Kick It Out, and Council member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland.
She is a developer, communicator and strategist best known for her work as an Inclusion and Diversity specialist in sport, which led to her being ranked 15th in the 2015 list of The Independent’s Most Influential Women in Sport. Rimla has over 17 years’ experience in the sports industry across the UK, Middle East and Asia as well as a number of accolades to her name, including most recently being awarded two honorary doctorates in 2017 as well as the Sky Sports and Sunday Times Sportswomen of the Year Community Award in 2013.
Whilst carving out a successful career in the city at leading global professional services firm Pricewaterhouse Coopers, Rimla also captained Britain in Futsal competitions. She is Founder of the leading global sport development consultancy, RimJhim Consulting, and, as Chair of the Muslim Women’s Sport Foundation, she has led the organisation to one with a distinct reputation nationally and internationally for its extensive work in the field of women’s sport.
William Bush - Executive Director, Premier League
The Premier League has organised the top-flight football competition in England since 1992. In that period attendances have grown by 60%, media rights are now sold to almost every territory in the world, generating nearly £3 billion per year and the Premier League has become the world’s most-watched regular domestic sporting competition
William’s responsibilities at the Premier League includes, Intellectual Property, public policy, relations with government and EU, relations with fans and consumers, communications and the community programme.
Before joining the Premier League, William worked as a Senior Advisor to the Prime Minister (1999-2001) and to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (2001-2005), and was Head of Research for BBC News until 1999.
Steven Finn - English cricketer
Steven Finn is one of the most talented English cricketers of this generation. The 6 foot 7 inch right armed fast bowler burst onto the scene in 2005 with his county team Middlesex. He is the youngest player to take 50 wickets for England, with the ability to bowl at an impressive 90mph. Mixed with a cocktail of bounce and away swing, he is formidable when at the top of his game.
Steven is an impeccable gentleman with a down to earth nature. Throughout his career, he has demonstrated he is a loyal and valuable partner to brands he works with. He has developed long-term relationships with Slazenger and Investec, providing much more value than a conventional ambassador. He is a key figure in the Investec Rhino Lifeline project, an important conservation charity.
Annamarie Phelps CBE - Chairman, British Rowing
Annamarie Phelps CBE is Chairman of British Rowing, Vice Chair of the BOA and BPA. She chaired the Cycling Independent Review Panel into the culture and climate of the sport’s World Class Programme and was a member of the DCMS Duty of Care Report Working Group. She was elected to the European Rowing Board of Management in May 2017 and acts as Commonwealth Liaison for FISA, the international federation for rowing.
As Deputy Chairman and Lead Safeguarding Officer at British Rowing 2002-2013, she oversaw anti-doping, governance and equality policies. She has supported the S&RA Safeguarding Adults in Sport Steering Group since its inception in 2008 and is Safeguarding, SEN and Looked After Children Governor at Latymer Upper School, Hammersmith.
A former World Champion in Women’s Lightweight Coxless Fours and indoor rowing, she represented Great Britain in the women’s eight at the Atlanta Olympic Games, 1996.
Michele Verroken - Founding Director, Sporting Integrity Ltd
Michele Verroken is Founding Director of Sporting Integrity, the international sports consultancy specialising in integrity and governance innovation. Clients include Professional Sports (Golf, ESports), International and National Sports Federations as well as athletes, medical, media and law professionals.
Initially a teacher and lecturer in human and sports sciences before taking a management role at The Sports Council in 1987, later UK Sport. Sports Minister Colin Moynihan and Sebastian Coe appointed her to create the UK’s first Independent Anti-Doping Programme. As Director of Ethics and Anti-Doping at UK Sport for twenty years, Michele achieved a number of other firsts (ISO certified procedures for Anti-Doping which became the operating standards of the World Anti-Doping Code), professional sports Illicit/Recreational drugs programme, Drug Information Database and whistleblowing line. Michele advised the Football Association and Professional Footballers Association on the introduction of in and out of competition anti-doping programmes, including illicit, recreational drugs testing and education. Continuing to innovate, as part of the Esports Integrity Coalition, Michele has introduced drug testing to E-sports and developed the Clean MMA programme for the International Mixed Martial Arts Federation.
Since 2002 Michele has been Commonwealth Games Federation Medical Commission Secretary, organising and delivering medical and anti-doping services for Commonwealth Games and Youth Games across the world. Michele serves on several sports arbitration panels and is visiting lecturer for several university MSc courses.
An eternal student, Michele recently graduated from the first ICSA Sports Governance and Administration course with Distinction!
A former international netball umpire, England handball and korfball player, county netballer and cricketer, Michele has retired from competitive sport for the moment.>
