It’s a year of celebration and change for Saje Impact as we head towards 2020.
After leaving parliament in 2010 Director Andy Reed set up Saje Impact to continue working in and around many of the campaigns he has championed in Westminster. In June 2010 the concept of saje Impact was born.
Today as the company celebrates its 9th birthday Andy said he was proud of the work it had done in that time to support work around social justice, poverty, wellbeing, sport and physical activity.
“As we head into our 10th year the work pattern may change a little as I change the emphasis of my work pattern - but the causes will remain the same and Saje Impact will be there to help, mentor, coach, strategise, challenge and help clients think differently.
“I’d like to thank everybody we have worked with over the last 9 years. “When work is a pleasure life is a joy”
SajeImpact and the Sports Think Tank were at Elevate 2019 this week looking for the latest thinking and innovation across the Sport and Physical Activity Sector.
In his latest Opinion for the Sports Think Tank Director Andy Reed said that the innovations in tech were not being met by the same speed of change in policy and delivery.
“I just fear we are not being bold enough and much of the discussion is really not moving us on very far. I don't know if I have been around too long but the same old issues seem to dominate the debate - making our case better, convincing Treasury, getting the evidence together etc. Perhaps we need to refresh our thinking and messaging before making another concerted effort ahead of the next CSR about what is it we are asking for.!
Rugby mad Director Andy Reed took part in the annual Commons and Lords Charity game at the home of rugby this week.
Reed was involved in setting up the charity games at Twickenham originally for the Cystic Fibrosis Trust. The RFU have now kindly made Twickenham available every year since - apart from 2017 when the Prime Minister decided to call a General Election.
Over the years ten of thousands of £pounds have been raised for good causes. This year again over £10,000 was raised for the Injured Players Foundation and the RFUs Trys for Change programme.
We are delighted to announce that we are teaming up with GENSport as our latest partnership - adding Legal and commercial to our offer. Sajeimpact works with a selected group of partners to create teams of experts for our clients based on their needs. This allows us to be really agile and deliver just what the client needs.
Andy Reed Director of SajeImpact said “I first met Rowena Samarasinhe on the International Sports Management MBA at Loughborough University and was impressed by her work and skills. Working with Rowena was an obvious fit for us when she decided to set up GENSport and help offer our clients the additional expertise she brings around a number of commercial and legal disciplines which we feel sport needs in an increasingly difficult environment.
Rowena is a commercial lawyer with over 12 years of dedicated experience in the sports industry, initially in football with the majority in athletics and other Olympic sports. Her experience ranges from working on some of the largest global sports properties, including having negotiated ground-breaking deals in sports such as athletics, to negotiating major endorsement deals with some of the most prolific athletes in the world, yet her passion lies in the work she has been involved in concerning the evolution of the sports themselves. Having gained significant experience in event operations, rights acquisitions and sales, tender processes and bid evaluation, Rowena completed an MBA in International Sports Management with a view to developing a business side to her practice.
As an ex-athlete herself, Rowena is passionate about changing perceptions within the industry and her experience both personally and professionally has given her a unique perspective of sport, from grass roots to high performance level with the consideration of players and athletes themselves remaining at the heart of what she does.
Rowena is also a Partner at niche sports, entertainment and media law firm Level.
An amazing night with Sporting Equals at the weekend. The BEDSA Awards have come a long way in the 5 years since they were started. We love working with the team all year round on the issues we still face in sport for the BAME community. In particular it was great to see the cohort from #leaderboard Academy graduate and be celebrated.
Given the issues still facing sport and society in general the BEDSAs are a great opportunity to celebrate the good things are happening in our communities and amongst some really talented athletes and clubs.
I was particularly pleased to see Nigel Walker recognised and special call out for Brendon Batson OBE. Again it was right to recognise his contribution over recent decades.
#sports #sport #charities #bedsa2019 #sportingequals #bamesport
Director Andy Reed has been appointed the Vice-Chair of the Leicester and Leicestershire Enterprise Partnership. Andy gas served on the LLEP Board for 3 years and has just agreed to serve a second term for 3 years. he sits on the Board as a Private sector representative.
Andy said “I joined the LLEP to come full circle on my career, as started work at the City and County councils working in Economic Development. Economic regeneration and the skills agenda has always been important to me - especially during my time in Parliament. When I set up Saje Impact it was so I could help serve voluntarily in a number of areas through Boards and serving my own County was a top priority. I have been fortunate to serve under two great Chairs with Nick Pulley and now Kevin Harris.
“I love the County and what it has to offer but I also know there are many challenges to ensure there is clean growth, job and wealth creation and this continues to be shared by all residents and parts of the City and county. Given the importance of the Local Industrial Strategy and the delivery of existing government funding this is a crucial time for LEPs to make a real difference.
“I am also keen to hear what more needs to be done at a macro level to make Leicestershire the best place to live and work in the Midlands. Whilst our top priority will be jobs and growth for me its also about the health and wellbeing of our population and the quality of life. So its a big agenda!
The BH Live Plaitinum Awards for staff were held at the Bournemouth International centre on the 28th March and saje Impact Director Andy Reed was along to host the event on behalf of BHLive.
Andy said “ I have been working with a management cohort at BHLive over the last couple of years and wanted to keep in touch to help with mentoring and coaching. I was therefore delighted to be asked back to Host the impressive staff awards ceremony.
I can see from the organisation and passion put into the awards how seriously these are taken by management and hopefully enjoyed by the staff. I’d like to congratulate all the winners of the award categories - there are plenty of imprsssive individuals and teams who Halle make BHLive. Whilst not everybody can win it is worth repeating that those nominated can also be proud of their achievement.
It was also a chance for the retiring CEO Peter Gunn to stay a fond farewell in his last week. I wish Peter all the best for the future.
Sports Businesses in Leicestershire have their own networking thanks to the work of Leicestershire & Rutland Sport and the Leicestershire Local Economic Partnership and the latest meeting this week was hailed a great success by all those who attended.
Andy Reed said “I joined the LLEP Board and was determined to harness the power of the sport sector across the County - both for clubs and participants but also as fast growing economic sector too. There are about 18,000 sports jobs across the county and with the growth in wellbeing and physical activity there are numerous openings for new entrants to the market. I was delighted when LRS, Sport England, the LLEP and some of the local authorities agreed to fund a post to help grow the sector and these events are part of that initiative.”
“There is a long way to go, but already people are working more collaboratively and new partnerships have formed over the Sport networking events”
Saje Impact Director Andy Reed today was helping Sport:80 host a network event in Sheffield to help NGBs unlock the power of their data, insight and technology. The event brings together strategic partners, NGBs and Sport England.
Andy said “ I have been really keen to help NGBs work much better with their data and maximise the opportunities to make themselves sustainable. This is a great opportunity to grow a community and share experiences.
