NCL Appoints New Chair

Following the retirement of long standing Chair and founding member David Thompson this summer, leisure charity NCL has appointed a new Chair, Chris Roberts, to head up its sport and leisure management services across Northumberland and Copeland.

Chris has been a Trustee of NCL since its inception in 1999.  He brings considerable leisure experience to his new role, having been responsible for the management of sports facilities and community sports activities for both Newcastle City Council and North Tyneside Council between 1980 and 2000. 

Chris’ background also includes extensive management experience at a senior level, having moved from Leisure Services for North Tyneside to being Executive Director for the whole Council.  Between 2000 and 2011, he was initially Executive Director of the Tyne and Wear Learning and Skills Council and then became Executive Director of the Skills Funding Agency for the NE, NW and Yorkshire and Humber, with a period as Chief Operating Officer for the whole country. This organisation was responsible for all Further Education Funding for England.

Chris is highly involved in local and regional voluntary activity; other roles have included being a board member of the Tyneside Cinema for 10 years, on the Board of Durham County Cricket Club Foundation and a committee member of Corbridge Cricket Club.

Chris said; “I am delighted to have been appointed Chair of NCL and hope to be able to continue to develop high quality sport and leisure services for local people in Northumberland and Copeland.”