Organisational Structure
The link below shows the organisational structure for the Lee Valley Regional Park Authority.
Shaun Dawson
Shaun Dawson
Chief Executive
Shaun joined the Lee Valley Regional Park Authority as Chief Executive in 1997. During this time he has created a dynamic and award winning organisation that both delivers its core remit and also works with partners to ensure that the 10,000 acre Regional Park adds value to the bigger social and economic agenda in the Lee Valley. Shaun was a key player during the bid process for the 2012 Olympics and he is now leading the Authority’s remit as a central legacy owner/operator organisation for a number of Olympic venues and parkland.
Shaun has spent his career in the leisure industry both in the public and private sector. Before moving to the Authority he was Assistant Director of Education and Leisure at the London Borough of Hackney. Shaun’s particular areas of experience cover, sports venues design, facilities management and parks management/activation.
Shaun graduated from the University of East Anglia with a BSc in Ecology and went on to Loughborough University where he gained an MSc in Recreation Management.
Vivien Blacker
Vivien Blacker
Deputy Chief Executive / Director of Leisure & Environment
Vivien joined the Authority in 1995. As the Director for Leisure and Environment she is responsible for the operating department of the organisation which includes all open spaces and built facilities. Strategically, Vivien also works closely with key stakeholders in the public, private and community sectors at national, regional and local level. This is very much the case with the development of the facilities and open spaces that will be delivered as part of the London 2012 Olympics which involves close working with the Olympic Delivery Authority and sport governing bodies.
Vivien has over 25 years experience in the leisure industry and graduated from the University of Reading with a BA (Hons) in English Literature. She has also achieved a DMS qualification in Recreation Management from the University of North London and London Met (formerly the Polytechnic of North London).
Kulvinder Sihota
Kulvinder Sihota
Director of Finance and Resources
Kulvinder joined the Authority in November 2002. She is the Chief Financial Officer (s151 officer) of the Authority and is responsible for the financial administration and stewardship of the organisation. In addition, her role has overall responsibility for Human Resources, IT, Health & Safety, Performance Management and Audit.
Kulvinder began her career as a trainee accountant in local government and has spent the majority of her career in public sector – education, highways, property services and central services. She also spent time in the private sector implementing and customising accounting packages for clients.
Graduated from Kingston University with a MA in Strategic Financial Management; CIPFA qualified accountant.
David Anstey
David Anstey
Director of Regeneration
David joined the Authority in 2004 with the responsibility for developing partnerships with national, regional and local organisations. He oversees the Authority’s regeneration, planning and property roles.
David has a range of experience in planning and regeneration across East London and the Thames Gateway. He is a chartered town planner and has worked in the planning department of the London Boroughs of Redbridge, Newham and Hackney. In 1989 he joined the London Docklands Development Corporation where he worked on planning and regeneration in the Isle of Dogs and the Royal Docks.
In 1997 he became Executive Director of Groundwork Kent Thames-side which delivered a range of environmental and community projects in North Kent and briefly worked as Groundwork’s Director of Strategy for the Thames Gateway.
David graduated in Geography from the University College Swansea, has a post-graduate diploma in town planning and an MBA.
John Birch
John Birch
Assistant Director of Leisure & Environment
John joined the Authority in 1999 and is responsible for the operation of the Leisure and Environment department with particular emphasis on safety, management and adherence to statutory requirements. He also deputises for the Director of Leisure and Environment providing support in the strategic management and development of the department and support for the operational team in relation to performance and contract management. John is also working closely with the 2012 team on the delivery of Olympic projects.
John previously worked as an Estates and Operations Manager for the Millennium Commission in Yorkshire, as the Operations Manager for Gosling Sports Park in Welwyn Garden City and Manager at Picketts Lock. John achieved an MBA in 1995.
Alan Butler
Alan Butler
Assistant Director of Leisure & Environment (Operations)
Alan has been with the Authority since 1992. He is responsible for operational management and development of the Leisure and Environment section of the Authority. He works closely with senior staff to oversee the delivery of services effectively and efficiently across all leisure facilities and open spaces.
Prior to joining the Authority, Alan worked for the leisure section for Chiltern District Council, and prior to this served in the Armed forces.
Alan studied management at Thames Valley University and financial management at the CIPFA training centre in London.
Simon Sheldon
Simon Sheldon
Assistant Director of Finance and Resources
Simon joined the Authority in July 2000.
Simon is responsible for the management of the support service functions of the Authority including Finance, IT, Health & Safety, Internal Audit and Performance Management and deputises for the Director of Finance and Resources.
Simon trained and qualified as an accountant at Broxbourne Borough Council, and spent ten years at the London Borough of Enfield managing Social Services finance.
Graduated from the University of the West Midlands 1985 BA (Hons) Economics. 1990 CPFA . 1999 Level IV NVQ Management.
Beryl Foster
Beryl Foster
Assistant Director of Legal Services
Beryl joined the Authority in 2005 and is responsible for all legal matters across the spectrum of the Authority’s business. In her role as Monitoring Officer she also ensures that the Authority takes decisions and operates within the legal framework. She also manages the Committee and Member Services department of the Authority which assists the nominated board Members to undertake their role effectively.
Since 1981, Beryl has worked in a range of public sector areas including the Department of Employment and the Metropolitan Police Service and has over 17 years experience in local government.
Beryl is qualified as a Solicitor of the Supreme Court and is a Fellow of the Institute of Legal Executives.
Rob Cairns
Rob Cairns
Head of Environmental Design
Rob joined the Authority in 2006 and provides design advice and assistance across the organisation. Current focus for work is largely in the Lower Lea Valley, where Rob represents the Authority’s interest in the emerging Olympic Park and Lower Lea Valley Linear Park proposals. In addition, Rob is part of the team working on the development of the Authority’s Park Development Framework which will set out the future strategic framework for the Regional Park. Rob also represents the Authority in a range of partnership groups and initiatives, including Chair of the Lea Valley Green Grid initiative.
Rob has previously worked for private design consultancies and local authorities. Rob is a Landscape Architect by profession and a member of the Landscape Institute.
Tom Putt
Tom Putt
Head of Property
Tom Putt joined the Authority in 2006 and is responsible for the property portfolio of the organisation. He is a surveyor with a background in the private and public sector specialising in residential, leisure and commercial property.
He is an RICS APC Assessor and has experience of the UK, Europe and Pacific Rim Property Markets.
Neil Thomson
Neil Thomson
Head of Construction Projects
Neil joined the Authority in 1991 and has the overall responsibility for the delivery of capital projects. These have included Hayes Hill Farm visitor centre, The WaterWorks, the Riding Centre refurbishment, the Lee Valley Pathway and most recently the Lee Valley Athletics Centre which opened in January 2007.
Neil previously worked for the L B Haringey and Tesco, with time spent at John Laing Construction (now Laing O’Rourke) and at the BRE (Building Research Establishment).
Neil graduated from Aston University gaining a BSc in Construction Economics and an MSc in Construction Management from UCL; he is a Member of the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB).
Stephen Wilkinson
Stephen Wilkinson
Head of Planning
Stephen joined the Authority in 2006 and is responsible for planning and regeneration. Stephen has a lead role in the development of the Park Development Framework which will guide the regeneration of the Regional Park. He is responsible for partnership working and sits on several Local Strategic Partnerships and Regeneration Boards identifying joint projects to improve the Regional Park.
Before joining the Authority Stephen worked as a Planning Officer for several London boroughs and for the Audit Commission where he worked with local authorities on CPA, planning and regeneration.
Stephen is a chartered Town Planner with an MBA.
Stephen Bromberg
Stephen Bromberg
Head of Communications
Stephen joined the Authority in September 2008 and is responsible for marketing and communicating the Park's activities and vision to a variety of groups includingvisitors, partners, stakeholders and staff.
He previously worked at the Science Museum in South Kensington where he led PR and Marketing campaigns which were selected by the Chartered Institute of Public Relations and PR Week awards judging panels. One exhibition communications programmewon best campaignin the CIPR awards - for which he has also been a judge -another was a finalist in the PR Week awards.
Previously Stephen performed press and public relations roles for two charities - deaf blind organisation Sense and homelessness charity Crisis. Before this he was a reporter on newspapers and news wire services here and in Australia.
Nigel Foxall
Nigal Foxall
Head of Performance & Information
Nigel has been with the Authority since 1995. He is responsible for the support functions of performance, policy, information and procurement and works closely with senior staff to support the delivery of services across all aspects of the organisation.
Nigel has worked in both public and private sector and prior to joining the Authority was a Management Consultant spending a number of years with Severn Trent Water Authority/plc.
Nigel graduated from the University of Wolverhampton has a post-graduate diploma in operations management and an MBA; he is a Member of the Chartered Institute of Management (CIMgt)