Charity appoints new Chair to drive physical activity

Rise is delighted to announce the appointment of Simon Gordon as the new Chair of its board of trustees.

Simon’s day job is Director of Strategy & Development at St Oswald’s Hospice. Simon is also the joint project lead for the Northern Palliative Care Education Partnership, Vice Chair of the Northern Palliative Care Research Group as well as an advisor to NHS England. He is an original member of the Plexus North East leaders group, a network of senior public, private and voluntary sector leaders committed to improving the regions health, wealth and wellbeing. He also holds another Chair role with KGB Health, who use technology to drive innovation in the healthcare system.

Clare Morley, Chief Executive Officer of Rise, said: “We are delighted to welcome Simon to Rise at this crucial time for the physical activity sector. His extensive experience in strategic leadership and understanding of the importance of health to the prosperity and well-being of the communities of Northumberland and Tyne and Wear will be invaluable to embedding physical activity as a key feature of strategic decision making in sectors such as planning, health, transport, education and community development.”

Simon said: “The North East is a major part of my life, both professionally and personally. I’m passionate about both the region and the positive impact that physical activity can have on the health and prosperity of those in our region and I’m delighted to be able to play a part in supporting Rise to deliver its objective of working with key partners to unlock the power of physical activity in all our communities.”

Simon succeeds Andrew Walton as Chair, who has spent nine years at the helm.

Clare Morley said: “We would also like to say a huge thank you to Andrew Walton for his commitment to the work of the charity during the past nine years and for leading through the process of bringing the Northumberland and the Tyne & Wear active partnerships together to create Rise.”

Rise is one of the network of 42 Sport England Lottery Funded Active Partnerships in England, formed to focus on reducing physical inactivity in communities throughout the combined region for the achievement of strategic outcomes including improved physical and mental health, increased educational attainment and reduced absenteeism, reduced anti-social behaviour, safer and more vibrant communities.