Who are SportWorks

Julie Berry

Following a 20+ year management career working for a leading travel company, Julie has extensive experience in a corporate environment and used this experience to set up Berry Consulting in September 2019 where she now provides tailor made management consultancy services in a variety of business areas such as strategy, commercial, customer experience and project management.  In her spare time Julie is also actively involved in gymnastics, coaching and judging as well as overseeing the Young Leader Academy which helps develop 11-17 year olds in a range of life long skills, inspiring them and building their confidence to become Leaders of the future.  She is passionate about helping others to get involved in sport and physical activity and truly believes, now more than ever, the benefits that being physically active can have on our overall wellbeing.  The Advisory Board role allows her to combine her passions and make a positive contribution towards improving health and wellbeing across the country.

Chris Mullins

Chris is a seasoned Project Manager with over 20 years’ experience working in corporations in the Manufacturing, Construction and Mining industries. Chris has a strong technical background specialising in product development, new product introduction and strategy development. As a member of the Institute of Mechanical Engineers Chris has a keen focus on identifying and delivering customer needs. Outside of work Chris enjoys sports coaching and spending time with his young family.

Nick Weal

Worked in the tennis industry for over 25 years. As a professional player achieved a career high world singles ranking of 290 (7 in GB) and played main draw at Wimbledon in 1997 and 1998. Moved into coaching and in 2010 became Great Britain Davis Cup Coach alongside being a Senior National Coach for the LTA Men’s Team. Currently in the role of LTA Head of Performance Coach Education and Development, responsible for the education, development and support of all British coaches working in performance.

John O'Connor

Somehow I have managed to combine and 'juggle' a long career in financial services and property development with a very lengthy passionate relationship with sport and also remain married for 36 years (and counting) with two children now in their 30s.  I played rugby union at a decent standard for over 30 years and became a coach and administrator and this involved leading academies and development programmes in not only rugby but in a variety of other sports with a number of partners including the Newcastle Falcons and as an adviser to the Minister of Sport.  In the last decade or so I have become heavily involved in community matters and I am currently chairman of the Project Genesis Trust, that has the task of redeveloping the 800 acre former site of Consett Steelworks and this role in many ways relies a lot on those past experiences.  They say "every day is a school day" and I hope to improve SportWorks as we meet the challenges of a post Covid World.

Steve Gould

Steven has nearly 20 years’ senior-level global experience in the sports industry representing a broad range of rights-holders and brands across the areas of strategy; commercial; marketing; brand partnerships; major events; broadcast; digital & social media; content; data insights; and stakeholder relations. 

He has a successful track record in managing stakeholders across businesses and finding solutions in complex landscapes, building close working relationships at all levels within governing bodies, commercial partners & broadcasters. 

In leading high-profile projects, he has provided counsel to CEOs & boards of several major sports organisations such as British Olympic Association, UK Sport, and London 2012. 

Steven has a keen personal interest in using sport and physical activity as a way to build stronger and healthier communities, in particularly to improve mental and physical wellbeing of people from across society regardless of their age, gender, background or ability.  He holds a number of other voluntary and non-executive board roles, including with Planet Earth Games, the Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity (CIMSPA), and GB Climbing. 

Previous roles include Managing Director of Monster Energy FIM Speedway World Championships; Commercial Partnerships & Programmes Director at the British Olympic Association; and  Senior Client Director, PRISM Sport + Entertainment

Richard Crilly

A commercially astute finance director with significant board experience and a track record of highly effective strategic leadership, financial management, risk management and ensuring compliance.

Richard is currently a UK group financial director for a company within the construction sector.
Alongside this role and board position with SportWorks, Richard is a private investor into small and medium businesses, which with his experienced financial background, looks for businesses where he can add value.
Richard is an advocate of investment in people along with continued personal self-development (and is currently studying for a ILM 7 coaching masters).
Richard started his career at a small 2 partner firm in North London back in 2000 where he achieved his ACCA qualification. In 2005 Richard subsequently left to join a mid-tier audit and accountancy practice before making a move from practice into industry in 2016.
Since 2016, Richard has been involved in several M&A transactions, consolidations and strategic planning as well as more recently navigating challenges for the business and the team as a result of the COVID pandemic.
Outside of the work environment, Richard enjoys active sport including playing football (although remains unsure how long he can hold off on retirement) swimming, hiking, cycling, running and golf.