Brian Taylor (Chairman)

Brian has had a long and varied career in general and financial management including catering, music, leisure construction, house building, pubs and accountancy.

As well as being Chair of More Leisure Community Trust and several other leisure Trusts, Brian is currently Chair and Managing Director of a small group of companies which currently has interests in pubs, equipment hire and accountancy.

On the voluntary front Brian has been Chair of a local football club, Chair of the local sports council, served on the local enterprise board and was Honary Squadron Commander for 422^nd Air Based Squadron based at RAF Croughton.

Brian’s experience in financial and general management coupled with over 12 years’ experience of leisure Trusts and general passion for community and seeing people ‘more active’ equips Brian with the skills to lead the trust board in order to develop the strategy and direction to take the trust forward.

Craig Elder

Craig is a partner in a national law firm, and has almost twenty years’ experience of advising central and local government bodies, charities and private sector companies on major projects, commercial contracts and procurement matters. His work advising local authority clients led to his being named “Local Authority Lawyer of the Year” by Legal 500 in 2019.

 Craig has particularly relevant experience of advising on leisure procurements, operating contracts and capital investments in the leisure sector. This experience includes leading on projects at the National Water Sports Centre and around ten local authority leisure procurements over recent years. As a result, he has a deep understanding of the commercial issues faced by leisure operators and client authorities, the contractual arrangements which underpin their operations, and the current Sport England standard form contracts.

Christine Coppack

Christine has been working within the leisure market since 1989, initially in the fitness market before moving into Operations and Management. Christine has had considerable experience working with a number of large leisure operators gaining experience and personal development. 

Christine is currently working with a leading Health and Safety and Quality provider supporting leisure groups and independent trusts on their processes, systems and standards.

Rebecca Cox

Rebecca has over 25 years’ experience in the sports and leisure industry, spending over 20 years working for public and private operators specialising in aquatics, training and Education and leisure business management. She has extensive experience from a grassroots level through to executive roles.

Rebecca was appointed as Managing Director of the Institute of Swimming in 2016, having joined the organisation in 2013 as Head of Business Development. She is responsible for the strategic approach of the business ensuring the reach and influence of the Institute of swimming, across national and international markets. Responsible for leading the organisation through the commercial landscape, maximising opportunity whilst considering the requirements of the sport, challenging the status quo by questioning the norm, personalising offers and providing aquatic solutions for the sector.

Joy Cooke (Secretary)

Joy having graduated with a degree in Management with Entrepreneurship has over 10 years’ experience of financial, operational, general and financial management together with company secretarial and secretarial duties of Trusts.

Joy has spent a number of years as secretary to a number of Trust and therefore brings considerable knowledge and experience to More Leisure Community Trust.

Ian Phelps (CEO)

Ian is passionate leader with first class communication skills and a long track record of successful management. With over 45 years in the leisure business Ian has an extensive knowledge of the leisure market and in particular leisure trusts and knowledge of current economic, social and regulatory issues.

From the position of Trainee Manager in a large multi-purpose council operated leisure centre Ian’s career in the public sector culminated after 17 years as Assistant Director Leisure Services for Lichfield District Council. In 1988 he was ‘head hunted’ into the private leisure sector before moving 3 years later to Serco where he had roles as Director and then Managing Director.

Contract negotiations has featured high on his agenda and he was instrumental in creating 17 Independent Trust boards who subsequently engaged with Serco to deliver the contract obligations through a Managing Agency Agreement. Ian retired as Managing Director in 2016 and was appointed at CEO for More Leisure Community Trust in July 2019.