P EOPLE
RICHARD SHAW SportsNation talks to the new SAPCA CEO and learns about his passion for creating positive outcomes for society
T
he Sport and Play Construction
Leading from the front
Association (SAPCA) has
Richard’s first leadership roles at director level
appointed Richard Shaw as
were at charity Age Concern – where he spent
its new CEO. Richard joins
nearly two years as director of development
the association from Learn by
– and at education outreach company,
Design, an education outreach company,
University of the First Age (UFA), where he
where he has spent the past three years
was director of operations and development
as chief operating officer. He will begin
for four years. While at UFA, he was
in his new role on 1 June, replacing the
responsible for running the National Citizen
retiring Chris Trickey, who has steered the
Service (NCS), a voluntary personal and social
association since its inception in 1997.
development programme for 15–17-year-
Richard started his career journey helping people find – and maintain – work as an
olds in England and Northern Ireland. “NCS was launched as one of David
employment manager at Birmingham City
Cameron’s ‘big society’ projects, designed to
Council. During his nine-year stint at the
involve young people in society more,” Richard
council, he oversaw a range of employment
says. “The project takes young people on
projects aimed at helping under-represented
outdoor and team building activities and then
groups access sustainable employment.
gets them volunteering in their communities. The youngsters also get a taste of independent living and have the opportunity to learn a variety of skills for their future.” Richard’s involvement in overseeing the NCS saw him lobbying – and working with – central and local government at the highest levels. It also led to him being headhunted by Learn by Design, which secured the NCS contract following a tender in 2019. “I’ve always been passionate about getting involved in projects which have real-world outcomes for society and NCS has been fantastic in terms of helping young people engage with their communities,” he says.
Richard with Rupert McNeil, the government’s chief people officer
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SPORTSNATION.ORG.UK MAY/JUN 2022
Making a difference Richard adds that it was his passion for creating positive outcomes that
