London Youth Games are delighted to announce five new Board appointments.

Mike Diaper brings his 20 years experience and expertise in sport as an Independent Trustee, while Elizabeth Dunn and Malvin Kamara have been elected as Advisors to the Board. Moreover, Councillor Hilary Moore and Councillor Caroline Cooper-Marbiah have been elected as Member Representatives on the Board.

Mike Diaper is a consultant at MJD Active Consulting, where he is focused on improving people’s health, social and economic wellbeing. He brings a wealth of experience from 15 years at Sport England, leading the children’s and young people’s, disability and health portfolios, including the School Games and Satellite Clubs programmes. He also led the Labour Government’s £2bn PE and School Sport Strategy between 2002-06, which increased the percentage of youngsters doing two hours of PE and Sport each week. As an Independent Trustee, Mike aims to use his skills and experience to help London Youth Games realise its vision of ‘Every Young Londoner’s Games’.

Elizabeth Dunn is an experienced lawyer focussing on regulatory and commercial matters in gambling and sport. She is currently a Partner in Bird & Bird’s Commercial team and a member of the Media, Entertainment & Sport Group. She advises major national and international governing bodies and global sports brands on major international sports media rights tenders, licensing, event staging and supply agreements. She was seconded twice to the London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG), giving her invaluable insight into the risks and challenges facing event organisers, sponsors, broadcasters and suppliers. As Advisor to the Board, Elizabeth intends to use her skill set to give something back through an organisation that can have such a positive impact on so many young people.

Malvin Kamara is a former footballer who played for MK Dons, Cardiff City, Port Vale and Huddersfield Town. He picked up his first international cap for Sierra Leone in a 2008 Africa Cup of Nations qualification match. After retiring as a player, Malvin entered the energy industry and in 2016, Malvin founded recruitment, consultancy and coaching consultancy firm Vallum Associates, on the back of his extensive knowledge and network within the Energy & Utilities industry. As Advisor to the Board, Malvin intends to promote the great work done by the London Youth Games and help youths gain those valuable life lessons and values that helped him so much.

Councillor Hilary Moore is a Lewisham Councillor for Grove Park ward. She was first elected in 2014 and has been elected London Youth Games representative since 2015. She has a strong background in Further Education, as Assistant Principal and as Designated Safeguarding Lead, and has also worked as a Marketing and Conference Director and as a Lawyer. Hilary has a rich history with London Youth Games, as a swimming official, helping at the swimming competitions and biathlons, and as a parent to 2 participants. As Member Representative on the Board, she looks forward to taking on more of a role in the Games itself.

Councillor Caroline Cooper-Marbiah is a Merton Councillor for Colliers Wood Ward and Cabinet Member for Sport and Heritage. She has held several Lead roles over the years to include Adult Social Care & Health, Education, and Culture, Leisure and Skills. Crucially during the pandemic, Caroline ensured that the parks and open spaces were safe and kept open for all residents to use, and the online library services offered to residents were increased. Councillor Caroline believes volunteering is a fantastic opportunity to ensure the children of Merton, and more broadly, children across London get involved with the sporting activities and reap the benefits the London Youth Games has to offer.

Prof. Geoff Thompson MBE FRSA DL, Chair, London Youth Games said: “The new additions to the London Youth Games Board of Trustees provides a wealth of diversity of knowledge, experience and above all commitment in delivering a renewed Games experience for young Londoners and their communities. I am excited at the prospect of working with them and welcoming them to the London Youth Games family.”

Mike Diaper OBE said: “I am passionate about making a difference for young people through the transformative power of sport and physical activity. I am honoured and humbled to be joining the Trustees’ Board at London Youth Games and have the chance give back and help them realise their vision of ‘Every Young Londoner’s Games’.”

Councillor Hilary Moore said: “I’m delighted to be more involved with the work of London Youth Games, especially at this exciting time and I’m looking forward to working with the Board and staff to further enhance the sporting opportunities for London’s young people.”

Malvin Kamara said: “Football and sport in general have been a huge influence on my professional and personal life. The life lessons and friendships I made via sports guided me through my career change and gave me the values for my business to succeed. Now I hope to help youths gain those valuable life lessons and values that helped me so much.”

Councillor Caroline Cooper-Marbiah said: “Sport as a portfolio is the first for the London Borough of Merton, and I am the first Lead Member. Volunteering is a fantastic opportunity to ensure the children of Merton, and more broadly, children across London get involved with the sporting activities and reap the benefits the LYG have to offer.”

Elizabeth Dunn said: “I have lived in London for my entire adult life, and now have two children here. I am passionate about the benefits of sport and physical activity for everyone, but particularly young people. Volunteering with LYG presented a fantastic opportunity to use my skill set to give something back through an organisation that can have such a positive impact on so many young people.”