Our Team

The Regional Team comprises of regionally employed staff and a dedicated volunteer workforce.

Our Staff

Josh joined the team as Regional Manager in February 2023. In his role he is responsible for the Region’s governance; strategic/operational planning and implementation; club and volunteer development, and stakeholder relationships. 

As regional manager, Josh leads our staff team in providing guidance and support to the regions counties, clubs and wider membership.

Josh can be contacted via email at [email protected] or via phone on 07765848186

Jo has worked for the Region since 2016 initially in the role of Regional Administrator, before transitioning to her current role in 2021.

In her role, Jo has administrative responsibility for the financial operation of the Company and ensures records across all areas of the business are accurate and compliant. She also supports the growth, development and implementation of the Region’s programmes and services.

Jo heads up the region’s social media channels and assists clubs in gaining SwimMark and Club Affiliation status.

Jo can be contacted via email at [email protected] or via phone on 07483 448052

Emma joined the Region in November 2021 as our Regional Administrator. Within her role Emma assists with the overall operations of the region, including the development of the aquatic disciplines and the support of our family of volunteers.

Emma works closely with our Discipline Leadership Groups, to ensure the smooth and effective running of regional activity. As part of the administration role Emma is responsible for the processing of the event licensing applications and supporting our regional licensing officer.

Emma can be contacted at [email protected] or on 07870 269432

Fran Vesztrocy is our Regional Welfare Officer and joined the Region in October 2023.

Fran provides advice and support to members, club and county welfare officers on a range of welfare and safeguarding issues and is the main point of contact between the Region and the National Safeguarding and Welfare Team. 

More information on Welfare can be found on our Welfare webpage.

Fran can be contacted on 01509 640378 or [email protected]

Our Volunteers

Our President

Our current President is Darren Peck, who is a member of several East Region clubs.

The Regional President is the ceremonial head of Swim England East Region. The President is elected annually and represents the Region at national events and competitions, and is the ceremonial host of regional events. When inaugurated at the Annual Meeting, the President is presented with the Presidential Chain of Office, which is worn at events throughout the presidency. Since the Region was formed in 2005, we have been fortunate to have had many wonderful Presidents from clubs throughout the Region. Here is a list of our Past Presidents

The role of President-Elect is elected by the Members Forum following recruitment which is open to the membership, with the President-Elect becoming President in the following year.

The President can be contacted at [email protected]

Our Directors

The Board of Directors is responsible for managing the company, Swim England East Region, which replaced the former unincorporated association in January 2021. The current Directors for the Region are:

Ian is the Regional Chair for the Swim England East Region having taken on this role in 2022.

In addition to his role within the region, Ian is Chair of the Swim England Club Leadership Group and Chair of Swim England County of Suffolk. He is also the National Group Aquatics and Activity Manager for Everyone Active. 

 

 

Appointed: April 2022

End of Term: April 2025

Years of Service:

Keith is the Finance Director for the Swim England East Region and has been with the region in this role since 2008.

In addition to his role within the region, Keith is the Treasurer for Swim England County of Norfolk.

 

Appointed: April 2022

End of Term: April 2024

Years of Service:

Ian is an Independent Director for the Swim England East Region and has been with the region since its founding in 2005, following which he was Chair of the region until 2012 before serving as President in 2013. 

In addition to his role within the region, Ian is a Board Member for Swim England County of Hertfordshire, a Trustee of Hertfordshire Aquatics, a member of the Swim England Sports Operations Committee, Chair of the Swim England Water Polo Leadership Group and National Secretary of the Arena Swimming League.

Ian also served as the 127th President of Swim England between 2019 and May 2022.

Appointed: April 2022

End of Term: April 2024

Years of Service:

Helen is an Independent Director for the Swim England East Region. Within her role on our board, she is the director with responsibility for oversight and support of the region’s Volunteer recruitment and development.

In addition to her role on the East Region Board of Directors, Helen is the Swimming Manager for Swim England County of Essex and is the Club Secretary for Colchester Swimming Club.

Previous roles within the region for Helen include being regional president (2022) and a member of our Regional Operations Committee and Club Leadership Group.

Appointed: September 2022

End of Term: April 2025

Years of Service: 

Yvonne is an Independent Director for the Swim England East Region. Within her role on our board, she is the director with responsibility for oversight and support of the region’s Welfare and Safeguarding policies and procedures.

Outside of her work for the region, Yvonne is the Regional Development Officer (North) for Archery GB and is a qualified Swimming Official. Previously Yvonne was a Swim England Club Development Officer and the Volunteer and Club Engagement Officer for the Swim England London Region, as well as having held numerous roles in sport development for local authorities across England.

Appointed: April 2023

End of Term: April 2026

Years of Service: 

When the 2020 Annual Council Meeting agreed the proposals for incorporation and a new governance structure, it was agreed that the present Management Committee members would become the first Directors, with elections held for all Director posts, at the first Annual General Meeting.  The posts were then subject to open recruitment at the 2022 AGM, which was held in April of that year.

As per the Articles of Association for the Region, individuals are eligible for election and re-election to the position of director for a term of up to nine years, after which an individual is not eligible for election/re-election until a period of four years has elapsed.

The Regional Chairman can be contacted at [email protected]

Our Volunteer Officers

Simon Gee is our Licensing Officer.

Simon is responsible for the allocation and monitoring of licensed swimming meets. Simon receives applications for licensed swimming meets, considers the applications in accordance with the Swim England Licensed Meet criteria, providing advice to clubs where appropriate. Together with a Licensing Panel, Simon monitors the post competition reports to ensure compliance with the standards set by Swim England. 

More information on Licensed Meets can be found on our Meet Licensing webpage.

Simon can be contacted at [email protected]

The Regional Administrator provides administrative support to this function. 

Chris Galer is the East Region Membership Officer. 

Chris receives applications from those seeking to set up new clubs, providing advice on the requirements for affiliation. Chris also provides advice to existing clubs on constitutions, making sure that club constitutions remain compliant with the Swim England model club constitutions.

More information on Membership can be found on our Club Membership webpage.

Chris can be contacted at [email protected]

The Regional Operations Officer provides support for this role in the reviewing of new and existing club constitutions.