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Cure Leukaemia appoint new staff


Birmingham-based cancer charity Cure Leukaemia has added two members of staff to its team. Andrew Wilkes, who has spent the last year


working for the charity on a consultancy basis, has been appointed as its financial controller. And Keiron Ronan has been appointed as challenge and community events co-ordinator. Mr Wilkes, a qualified management


accountant, spent almost 28 years working as financial controller at Warwickshire County Cricket Club, overseeing the club’s accounts. The varied role also covered many other areas, including the submitting of bids for the club to host major fixtures, management of matchday procedures and playing a role in the securing of £32m funding for the redevelopment of Edgbaston Stadium. Mr Ronan spent 10 years with West Midlands


Bringing business and sport together


This month marks the start of a feature introducing the newest members of the ABCC’s executive committee


One of six new faces on the ABCC committee is Dal Darroch, who is head of diversity and inclusion at the Football Association (FA). Dal, who is from the Black Country, oversees


the FA’s diversity and inclusion strategy, known as ‘In Pursuit of Progress’. This is designed to strengthen all elements of diversity and inclusion across England teams, grassroots football, inclusion programmes and The FA itself. One of the national programmes launched


recently – at Villa Park - is aimed at boosting Asian inclusion throughout football known as ‘Bringing Opportunities to Communities Phase 2’. Another current initiative is aimed at encouraging more people from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds into coaching by offering placements with England squads at all levels. Dal formerly worked as a management


consultant at PwC and with The FA splits his time between Wembley Stadium and St George’s Park, home of the England football team. The Wolves fan explained that he had joined


the ABCC executive committee in order to use his expertise to help bring business and sport together. He said: “I want to harness the power of football as a means of adding value to society. “I hope to be able to increase the participation


of all communities in football at grassroots and local level, by networking with key businesses across the region that engage with our communities on a daily basis. I also want to use my professional management consulting


Andrew Wilkes and Keiron Ronan


Police, most recently as a major events planning officer, which included developing strategies to inform security services ahead of major events. This has included major sporting events, such


as Rugby World Cup matches at Villa Park, and other high-profile occasions including the Conservative Party’s Autumn Conference.


Cure Leukaemia CEO James McLaughlin said:


“Having worked with Andrew previously at Edgbaston, I know how valuable his wealth of experience and financial acumen will be for the charity in the years to come. “Keiron also arrives boasting extensive


experience in his field in terms of community- focused event planning and operations during a considerable amount of time spent with West Midlands Police. “Not only will he be able to pick up and work


with the team on the packed event schedule already in place, but also bring a fresh pair of eyes to the planning and organisation of future events. “This will ensure we offer our supporters a


professional and exciting experience as well as raising the funds so that the life-saving work Cure Leukaemia supports can continue.”


Committee Profile Name: Dal Darroch


Company: The Football Association (‘The FA’) Company URL: www.thefa.com


Social media handle (Twitter): @FA (I don’t have a personal twitter account)


Position: head of diversity & inclusion


What do you hope to achieve as an executive committee member? I hope to be able to increase the participation of all communities in football at grassroots and local level by networking with key businesses across the region that engage with our communities on a daily basis. I also want to use my professional management consulting experience to help drive positive change and prosperity in the region.


How long have you been a member of the ABCC? Since February 2019.


Why did you want to be a part of the ABCC executive committee? I want to use my skills, experience and existing network to help the business community prosper across the region. By bringing the business community and sport together, I want to harness the power of football as a means of adding value to society. Football is the nation’s number one sport – it has the power to change lives and be a force for good.


experience to help drive positive change and prosperity in the region.” Dal believes that the ABCC is an organisation


How can the ABCC help support businesses, and why should they join? There are many learning opportunities, business facilities and training available to any ABCC member that wants to expand and grow. The networking opportunities are also very good – there is no better way to grow than to learn from those that have already done it. As a member of the ABCC, you will be able to find great opportunities to do all of these things, connect with others and have fun along the way.


What do you think is the most important issue facing businesses in Greater Birmingham? The economic and political climate is currently volatile – businesses (especially SMEs) need to do what they can to remain profitable. This means seeking out opportunities where risk aversion is more common. By utilising the opportunities afforded through the ABCC, a business can respond positively to the current climate, be innovative and remain competitive.


that has important role to play in helping businesses to prosper, from learning opportunities and training through to networking.


June 2019 CHAMBERLINK 43


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