MEET THE TEAM

OUR TEAM

Carol Hart, CEO

I have over 35 years’ experience working in sport development, 18 within the corporate sector working with cricket, football and rugby. Mainly helping to develop grassroot sports in line with major brand sponsorships. I also have extensive knowledge of the third sector, managing national charity partnerships. The last 18 years have been spent building and developing the Warriors Foundation. I am proud to lead a team of highly motivated and skilled people who all have a common goal – to improve the lives of people in our community.

Dan Hart – Development Executive

I have a passion for supporting young people at risk and using sport as a tool to engage and change lives. Being Lead on several programmes such as HITZ and Sports Leaders has given me the opportunity to share that passion with so many young people at risk. Sport is an important part of my life, and I am keen to engage people though its power to improve their lives. My current role with the Foundation is to ensure we have the funding in place to deliver our objectives. I love being part of a close team who all share the same vision.

Harry Smith – SEN Lead

I have been involved in disability sports for 10 years now ranging from working with complex needs to head coaching elite-level amputee football programmes in and outside the UK. The Warrior’s Foundation has given me a huge sense of belonging and being able to use my experience to change the lives of a huge range of individuals. What I love most about my role is being able to work across a range of different needs and environments and see the positive impact I have on individuals however big or small.

Matt Cowdrey – Inclusion and Education Coach

I have been a member of the Foundation Team for over 5 years now and I love every part of my job from coaching in schools, the multiple walking rugby sessions, and the famous weekly dementia cafe!

Seeing people’s confidence & personality grow through our education programmes is awesome but my biggest highlight is seeing our walking rugby players mobility, flexibility and overall quality of life improve through taking part in that programme.

Ben Powers – Adapted Sports coach

I am an Adapted Sports Coach with the Warriors Foundation. I have over 15 years of experience as a Secondary Physical Education Teacher, including 10 years leading departments across three schools, along with 20 years of coaching expertise and various qualifications.

Sport has been instrumental in my personal growth and has given me countless rewarding experiences. The Warriors Foundation provides a supportive environment where I’m privileged and honoured to make a meaningful difference in the lives of those we support.

OUR TRUSTEES

Chair - Jim Panter

Born in Nottingham , attended Carlton le Willows Grammar School excelling in sport and neglecting academia to a certain extent! Did an engineering sandwich course firstly, pre-University, with CA Parsons in Newcastle on Tyne and then post University with RHP Bearings Ferrybridge. Attended University in Leeds with a BSc in Mechanical Engineering and an MSc in Tribology(the study of friction , lubrication and wear specialising in bioengineering human joint study) Moved to Worcester from Leeds in 1983 to work for Morgan Crucible Technical Ceramics in Stourport for 20 years. Initially in Sales but ultimately as Managing Director for 10 years, covering several plants in the UK, France, USA and China. On leaving Morgan, I went to the newly privatised defence labs QinetiQ in Malvern – charged with commercially exploiting defence technology. From Swords to Ploughshares!A great privilege to be exposed to world-class technology and fundamental research which enabled products such as night vision, LCD screens, VR holographic imaging. Etc – much of which resonated with James Bond’s gadgets.

Very keen on most sports particularly rugby football – playing internationally as a schoolboy and then for Nottingham, Northern and Headingley – plus 150 games at ‘First Class’ level. Held season tickets at Gloucester and Worcester for many years. Played cricket to good club standard for Leeds Zingari and then with Old Vigornians in Worcester. Sporting excursions are now confined to golf.

After retiring from gainful employ I developed an interest in helping charitable concerns. I am Chair of the Tudor House Museum – built by a clothier in circa 1525, Chair of the Lasletts Charity in Worcester and also Chair of the Worcester Warriors Charitable Foundation.

Trustee - Louise Hewett

Deputy Lieutenant of Worcs
High Sheriff of Worcestershire 2023/24
Honorary Fellow of the University of Worcester
Patron of St Richards Hospice

Retired in 2021 after 41 years ..founded Hewett Recruitment in 1980.

Past Director of the Recruitment and Employment Confederation.

Winner of the recruitment industry Lifetime Achievement Award

Past winner of the IRP national award for Best Contribution to the Community.

Worcestershire Business Woman of the Year and Pride of Worcestershire Award.

Became involved with the Foundation when she Initiated the ‘ Walk Like A Warrior ‘ scheme and was made a Trustee in 2011. Alongside her career, Louise has always had a passion to support and improve opportunities for vulnerable children and young people.

Trustee - Chris Pennell

Trustee - Justin Clegg

Trustee - John Gibson

John has lived in Worcestershire for over 50 years. He is a Partner of Firmingers LLP a practice of Chartered Surveyors based in Worcester. Firmingers LLP are a leading practice of Cost Managers in the construction industry in a wide variety of sectors.

As well being a Trustee of Worcester Warriors Foundation John acts a Trustee for Wooden Spoon (a charity that uses the Rugby community to raise funds for disadvantaged children), Myriad (a charity that supports young people with PMLD), RGS Foundation (raising funds for bursaries), St Richards Hospice (a non-Exec Director of the trading arm raising funds for the hospice).

John is a keen rugby fan and strongly believe that the power of sport can help enrich the lives of the disadvantaged and vulnerable. The Warriors Foundation has made significant inroads through their programmes to help those in need

Trustee - Roger Murray

Retired; former Group COO of Midlands Electricity plc and subsequent incarnations; Director of Worcester Warriors for 23 years; former member of the Further Education Council for the West Midlands; former vice chair Governors, University of Worcester; former director of Birmingham Trade of Commerce and Industry; former Chair of West Midlands Care Farming, former director of National Energy Action.

I am enthusiastic to encourage community activity through education and to develop ways to assist those who have become economically marginalised.

Trustee - Mark Smith

Initially completing an accountancy apprenticeship and gaining my exams with an independent firm in Worcestershire, I ventured into the corporate world working as a Finance Director for an international manufacturing company. Having gained several years experience I then returned to general practice to develop Smart Accountancy in Worcester which provides accounting, tax, bookkeeping and business advisory services and has a loyal and professional presence in the surrounding country

I also have various external interests in investments, M&A and business advisory roles.

Having supported Worcester Warriors for many years I was aware of the foundation and the great work that it carried out locally. Having the opportunity to be a trustee to help develop and publicise the great work is brilliant and I hope that my day-to-day career experience will add real value and purpose to the team.

Registered Address: Royal Porcelain Works, Severn street, Worcester, WR1 2NE
Registered Charity in England No: 1133136