Our team
Our executive team is based at our head office in Sheffield, UK and is responsible for the strategic development and delivery of our mission.
Richard Holmes
Chief Executive Officer
Richard has been the driving force behind the charity after being handed the reigns in its first year. He has provided leadership, direction, vision and facilitated short and long-term planning to grow the organisation from three camps in the North of England to what it is today. Richard continues to drive our mission, leading the organisation and the executive management team.
Lynda Rands
Head of Finance & Systems
Having previously worked in various commercial Financial Controller roles, including the adult training sector, Lynda joined us in 2012, and quickly progressed to Head of Finance and Systems. In addition to her financial responsibilities, Lynda acts as Company Secretary and our Ofsted Nominated Individual. Lynda’s two children have been avid attendees of Kings Camps for the last 10 years.
Andrew Busby
Head of Partner Relations
With 10 years’ commercial business development experience, Andrew is charged with developing income-generating activities and partnerships with organisations aligned to our mission. Since joining the team, Andrew has strengthened our presence in various sectors and expanded our work with global partners.
Claire Canu
Head of Membership & Marketing
Starting her career in entertainment, Claire moved into Recruitment and HR, joining the team in 2019 to develop our Recruitment and Onboarding process. In 2021 Claire made the transition to Membership & Marketing with remit of providing parents with a first-class booking experience.
Sophie Machent
Head of Recruitment & Compliance
A Sheffield University alum, Sophie started her Kings journey in 2012 in our Membership Team. Sophie moved into our Staff Recruitment and Compliance function, and quickly progressed to lead our efforts to recruiting and onboarding over 700 seasonal staff annually, and all within our safer-recruitment framework.
Isabel Hughes
Head of Operations
Izzy started with Kings as a multi-sports coach and progressed to Site Manager whilst at University. After graduating, she delivered children’s programmes on Cruise Ships, and then accepted a permanent role as Programme Coordinator. She has progressed her career with Kings, now as Head of Operations and is our Lead Safeguarding Officer.
Our Board of Trustees are volunteers that have ultimate responsibility for governing and directing how we are managed and run.
David Taylor (Chair)
David joined the board of trustees in 2000 and became chairman in 2005. He holds the position of Senior Research Fellow at Cardiff Business School and has experience in business research, consultancy and lecturing. David says ‘As a Christian, it’s been a great privilege to be involved with the Kings Foundation. I am particularly proud of our international work, where we bring top-quality sports activities, fun and learning to some of the most disadvantaged children and at the same time sensitively share something of our Christian faith’.
Geoff Thompson OBE
Geoff joined the board in 2004 when he was the Chairman of the Football Association. Geoff is now a Vice-President of both FIFA and UEFA with significant responsibilities and influence on world football. Home is Chesterfield, Derbyshire, and Geoff always manages to keep involved with the development of King’s despite his demanding international schedule.
Rachel Brown
Joining the board in 2013, Rachel is a solicitor practising in Clinical Negligence and sits as a lay member of the Ethics Committee at an NHS Trust as a member of the Parent Patient Liaison Committee. Rachel has specific board responsibility for safeguarding and is mum to three children who regularly attend Kings Camps.
Christine Buxton
Christine has been involved with Kings since 2009 when she joined the board. She was appointed to the management team in 2011 as Head of Finance and Operations and was an integral part of the senior team for six years. Following a break to focus on being a full-time mum to her three children, she rejoined the board in 2018. Christine is a chartered accountant with extensive senior management experience over 30 years in the manufacturing, service and charity sectors.
Jane Fardon
Jane joined the board in 2012. She is a partner in the leadership consultancy Giant Worldwide Ltd, where she coaches teams and leaders on how to reach the next level in their performance and potential. Jane is also a mum to three adult children who in the past have enjoyed many Kings Camps. Jane and her husband are part of Network Church in Sheffield.
Get in touch
Whether you’re interested in joining us in our mission to get children active, or want to find out more about our work, please get in touch.