EQUALITY, DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION
British Ice Skating is committed to equality and diversity
British Ice Skating Association is committed, as a service provider, to promoting Equality within Ice Skating, eliminating unfair discrimination. We believe that Equality is defined by the terms fairness, justice, inclusion and respect for diversity.
It is about making sure that everyone has an equal chance to participate in and contribute to the aspects of ice skating that interest them, and that no one is discriminated against unfairly for any reason, including – but not limited to – sex, gender, race, disability, age, religious or political belief, sexual orientation, social background, ethnic origin, language, marital or civil partnership status or pregnancy.
Sports Equality is also about recognising and acknowledging that inequalities do exist in sport, taking positive and proactive steps to overcome these inequalities, and making sure that any barriers standing in the way of people who are traditionally not involved in ice skating are removed.
Meet the BIS EDI Committee
Andrew Hibberd
My name is Andrew Hibberd and my role at British Ice Skating is EDI and Community lead which I have recently started after joining the development team at the end of 2019. I have a passion for promoting equality and inclusion and have always been heavily involved in sport as a sportsperson, coach and fan.
Previously I set up my own business with two other individuals who share a similar passion to provide inclusive sporting and physical activity sessions and opportunities which focused on breaking down barriers to participation. This led me to completing a BSc in Sports Coaching and Starting a MSc in Advanced Sport Coaching Practice and completing work for Sheffield Hallam University teaching students on inclusive coaching practices. I find these qualities and experiences have helped me develop a passion for creating opportunities for everyone in sport, as sport is truly for everyone. I now want to make positive change in the area I know how which is sport, British Ice Skating have set Equality, Diversity and Inclusion as priority for our sport to move forward and this is the start to many great initiatives and projects we have to make ice skating a more accessible and inclusive place where everyone can enjoy the great benefits ice skating and physical activity has to offer in the right environment.
At BIS I’m a member of staff and my role title is Executive PA for the CEO. This means I provide administrative support to Michelle, as well as the BIS Board and Board Committees.
In the past I’ve worked in the private, public and voluntary sectors and have realised that I have a passion for supporting colleagues and others to achieve their potential in the workplace, as well as increasing their skills and experience to seek more for themselves in the way of role satisfaction. I have found that not only are leadership, culture, communication, job security, pay and benefits, recognition and rewards, etc., etc., are really important to people, but the feeling of being a valued, trusted colleague and having the same rights and opportunities as others is of paramount importance. When I and others have been treated differently for reasons other than our qualifications, skills, knowledge, experience, competence and initiative, its made us feel we’re worth less than other colleagues in the eyes of management, and in fact that if we’re worthless then why should we help and support such organisations to achieve their aims?
So, in a roundabout way, in both my personal and professional lives, I have persistently advocated for fairness and equality of opportunity for all the people that I work with, and for, rather than them being regarded through bias and treated unfairly. I have helped black and south Asian community organisations to apply for grants and funding for youth work, arts, crafts and music events, promotion of cultural festivals, the running of voluntary classes for teaching south Asian languages to British Asian youngsters, and supporting community organisations in having a voice advocating for increased Health related support and research into conditions endemic in minority ethnic populations. At BIS then I want to be involved in supporting the organisation in encouraging people from communities that haven’t participated in Ice Skating before, to do so now, and perhaps find an activity that they enjoy taking part in, and that makes them feel good.”
Parul Jani
I’m Chair of Deeside Ice Skating Club and Interim Chair of the Participation & Development TAC. I’m also the BIS Test Organiser for Deeside. I’ve been involved in the sport since approximately 2007.
I have a BA Hons in hospitality management from the university of Glamorgan and prior to taking ill health retirement I was an assistant bank manager.
I have experience of working with Synchro, Solo Dance & Figure skaters. I’m events coordinator for DISC and up until the pandemic had organised shows and IJS events on an annual basis. I’m passionate about the sport and safeguarding within the sport. I believe in treating everyone equally and fairly at all times without discriminating in any way.
Jo Gillmore
Shaun Lough
General Manager at iceSheffield, which is operated by Sheffield City Trust.
Chair of Ice Rink Managers Association which sees more than 65 rinks across the UK as part of its membership.
Also sits on the CIMSPA Leisure Operations Professional Development Committee
Worked in ice industry since 2003 covering a multitude of roles in the process. Experienced Manager in Health & Safety, Safeguarding, Event Management and Security.
A people professional and chartered Fellow of the CIPD with over 10 years’ experience at a senior strategic level. A generalist with a strong operational background, including event and service delivery. NEBOSH qualified and current Safeguarding Lead for a Leisure Trust.
Jess Cook
Jess is a Strategic Partnerships Advisor at Activity Alliance. With over 15 years’ experience in, inclusion equality and diversity with a proven ability to achieve objectives and make change. Jess is also an experienced board member and partnerships lead. She started her career in Cornwall as the Disability County Sports Development Officer then joined Activity Alliance (formally EFDS) as a Regional Development Manager in the South East and East regions supporting the Active Partnerships with inclusion and development of activities for disabled people, then working with National Governing Bodies of Sport (NGB’s), and now with a mix of partners. Jess supports with a wide variety of strategic outcomes, ranging from support and guidance to the developments of inclusive organisational strategies to have a more diverse approach. She also works with National Disability Charities to support a better link between Sport, Physical Activity and disabled people.
Jessica has always been very passionate about sport and inclusion for disabled people, having had first-hand experience when she competed over several years as an international swimmer attending both World and European championships.
A qualified Level 4 Fitness Professional and a Level 2 BIS coach, Davina has been involved with skating from a young age and as a professional show skater has toured with Holiday on Ice and as a Semi- Principal with Disney on Ice for many years and loves coaching ice-skating!
With a BSc degree in Sports Science and Exercise and a PGCE from the Institute of Education, Davina has been teaching and assessing aspiring Gym Instructors and Personal Trainers, as well as those studying for GSCE's and A'levels in Sport, Health and Fitness.
Davina worked with GB athletes who competed in the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham as a Strength and conditioning coach, human performance specialist and Personal Trainer.
Her passion for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion is limitless and believes "IF YOU SEE IT, YOU CAN BE IT!" and is committed to increasing the accessibility of skating for all!
Davina Victory
