Martin Winter
Chair

Martin worked in the City for 45 years as a lawyer with most of his involvement being in private equity transactions.  He continues his 35 year competitive waterski slalom career with a markedly lower degree of success although this is given reasonable balance by the performance of other family members.  He also chairs a small charity focused on the provision of sporting equipment to, and sponsoring sporting events in, communities under challenge.  He strongly believes the sport must operate on data rather than opinions.

maswinter@googlemail.com

Steve Sopp
Vice Chair

Steve is a retired engineer having previously worked in the design and management of large building services projects also to include working on the Olympic swimming pool for London 2012. He is the present and long term Chair of the Waterski Committee and has served on the Board for many years. He has skied and been a member of the Federation for over 50 years. Former Chair of the Greater London & South East Region and also the current Chair of Wiremill Water Ski Club.  Until recently he was the long term Waterski Team Captain for the Open Team and he continues to enjoy being part of such a successful sport and also part of its management team. Steve is a highly analytical problem solver and assists the organisation across a number of areas to include risk management, insurance and club related issues.

Michael Lock

Michael has had a lifelong involvement in the sport and has the experience of running his own commercial ski school overseas in Portugal many years ago as well as an ongoing involvement at his own voluntary club Charnwood in Leicester.  He currently has a role on the Board in relation to operating safety and related standards and is also involved in the driving and coaching development working group. These are key areas of the sport in terms of welfare and safety and promoting standards, best practice and the quiet enjoyment of the sport in a safe environment.  

Shelley Meyern
Independent Director

Shelley has over twenty years of management experience in the sport and sport for development sectors. Passionate about sport and the difference it can make, she believes everyone should have equal access to experience the benefits sport can bring. An active and committed volunteer with significant experience in volunteer management, club development, training and education.

Andy Phillips
Independent Director

Andy has worked as a finance director for thirty-five years in three roles, being responsible for IT, HR and Operational Departments as well as Global Finance Departments.  Andy still enjoys slalom and trick skiing and during the winter months still manages to get out on the water at least once per week. He still also enjoys an occasional wakeboard and barefooting off the boom.

Anny Wooldridge

Anny comes from a family with a long history of involvement in the sport dating back to the late 1950s and in the mid 1960s the formation of Bluebird Deaf Water Ski Club in Norfolk.  Anny herself works as a communications officer, freelance writer, editor and social media coordinator and is a prolific traveller and blogger.  She is our Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Lead Director and brings fresh perspectives and insight to the organisation.  She also acts on a voluntary basis running our social media content and distribution.

Patrick Donovan
Chief Executive Officer

Patrick has had a long and varied career in the education and sports sector for over 30 years both in the UK and overseas.  He has been the lead driver of four successful BWSW funding strategies which challenged the organisation to think bigger with innovative initiatives in relation to facilities, IT modernisation and ambitious development aims.  His days of slalom skiing through winter are very much a thing of the past now however he still enjoys the occasional summer wakesurf and attending events.