GB Surfing is launching an Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Group which will report directly into the Board of Directors and will work closely with the Executive on GB Surfing’s ongoing strategy to become medal competitive by the Brisbane Olympics in 2032.
The Advisory Group will be Chaired by Sarah Howe who specialises in helping organisations transform and improve, especially in EDI, Culture, Sustainability and Reputation Management. Sarah is former Global Director of Culture Transformation & EDI at Urenco and Interim Head of Communications at Zurich Insurance. She has also advised many global organisations such as, IBM, Microsoft, Philips, Skype and TOTAL.
Sarah and her team will play a leading role in shaping GB Surfing’s ED&I strategy. Working closely with the individual Home Nations and the ED&I initiatives and strategies already in place, the Group will look into ways of unearthing new talent from a diverse range of communities, creating a welcoming and inclusive environment for all, and increasing the accessibility of tools and programmes to ensure everyone with aspirations to surf at the highest level has an equal opportunity.
Talking about her appointment, Sarah Howe, said: “I am thrilled to become part of the GB Surfing team at a time when there is so much opportunity ahead for our GB athletes and the development of this incredible sport globally.
“I look forward to working with the wider GB Surfing Board, and also our colleagues in the Home Nation Federations, as together I know we can grow elite surfing into one of the most inclusive and progressive GB sports, where diversity and talent can thrive. We intend to be a welcoming and supportive place for all, where the potential and ambition of both our current surfers and future generations can be realised.”
The Chair of GB Surfing, Vicky Gosling OBE, added: “We are absolutely delighted to bring Sarah into the organisation as Chair of the ED&I Group. She has a wealth of experience in developing and implementing impactful ED&I strategies, and we were blown away by her enthusiasm and vision for surfing in the UK.
“We operate at the elite level of the sport, developing and preparing British athletes to be medal competitive at the 2032 Olympic Games. To do this, we need to make sure all promising young surfers are given the same opportunity, and enjoy the best, most productive experience of GB Surfing possible. We can’t wait for Sarah to get started and look forward to working with her.”
One initiative already in place is the Female Coach Development Pilot. GB Surfing identified a need for more female coaches, and recently invited Emily Currie to join the GB team at a training camp in Portugal. Emily worked closely with GB Performance Coach, Luke Dillon and played an active part in the team’s training. The pilot will run again at the December and the March training camps, with input from the Advisory Group.
More information on how to be part of the GB Surfing ED&I Advisory Board will be available shortly.