Newport Live, the charitable trust which provides sporting, leisure, and cultural activities in Newport, welcomes three new board members, Richie Turner, Phil Tilley and David Hayhoe. These new appointments will bring additional knowledge to the experienced board, supporting the organisation with inspiring people across Newport to be Happier and Healthier.

Richie Turner has worked in a variety of roles in the arts and creative industries, higher education and the public sector specialising in innovation, entrepreneurship, and diversity. He currently manages graduate entrepreneurship programmes for the University of South Wales, which includes the Startup Stiwdio (a creative industries and digital incubator) based at their Cardiff Campus, and is opening a second incubator on their Newport Campus currently. He is also a lecturer on the MA Arts Management course at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama and his recent consultancy work has seen him work for all 4 of the UK's Arts Councils and the BFI, spearheading research into the establishment of a UK wide arts access ticketing card scheme for all disabled people. He has just completed research for the National Museums Wales and Arts Council Wales into why many disabled people are disengaged in the arts and cultural heritage sectors.

Mr Turner is excited to be joining Newport Live at this crucial time. He said “COVID-19 has had a dramatic impact upon everyone, but many people and communities across Newport have been impacted more severely than others in the UK. Supporting social and economic recovery through improved well-being, whether that is re-engaging in physical exercise or returning to see an arts event, will be of increased importance over the next few years. I look forward to engaging with the creative community of Newport to build a stronger and more diverse arts service for everyone.”

Also joining the Newport Live board is Phil Tilley, who having spent nearly 30 years in the telecommunications industry with over 20 years of global product marketing experience, is now retired. Based out of Newport he led and developed teams around the world. Following retirement, he committed himself to the third sector and has become a Sport Wales board member and charity trustee, always looking to improve the physical activity and well-being of people in Wales.

Mr Tilley said, “I have always admired the values of Newport Live and achievements since it became a leisure trust and am delighted to now get involved in helping it continue to grow and prove an asset people of Newport can be truly proud of.”

David Hayhoe has also been appointed to the Newport Live board. He is a qualified accountant with many years’ experience working in the coal industry in South Wales, Yorkshire, and Nottinghamshire before returning to Wales to join a large social housing, support and care provider, latterly as Group Finance Director. He has a wide interest in sport of all kinds, particularly association football and is also a keen amateur artist.

They will be joining the existing board including Chairman John Harrhy, Vice Chairman Kevin Ward, Mike Butler, Stephanie Hazelhurst, Katija Dew, Natalie Jakomis and David Mayer. The board have a wealth of expertise across governance, policy, strategy, data and analytics, finance, media, and communication, as well as experience within the sports and arts sectors and strong ties to and knowledge of the city of Newport.

John Harrhy, Chairman at Newport Live said “I am delighted to welcome three new members and the skills that they bring, we have been very fortunate to have recruited excellent replacements for the retiring members who have contributed so much to the success of Newport Live through its formative years. There are exciting times ahead for Newport Live, with much to be done, the skill set of the Board will ensure that we are well equipped to meet that challenge.

Newport Live supports the health and wellbeing of people in the city and beyond and inspire them to become happier and healthier. They have multiple gyms, swimming pools, a tennis centre as well as a wide range of other sporting facilities. Complimenting these is The Riverfront, a well-established regional theatre and arts centre which offers a variety of exciting live performances, cinema screenings and workshops.

Newport Live's Sport and Art Development Teams deliver high-quality sporting programmes across the city of Newport and beyond engaging with schools, families, and other community groups.

More detailed information about Newport Live can be found at www.newportlive.co.uk