Individually we’re all passionate about the positive, life-affirming benefits of being active, and together we make it accessible to people across Coventry, Solihull & Warwickshire.
We all believe in empowering communities and giving energy, funding and inspiration to those who need it most. Whether we’re at our HQ, working from home or out and about, we’re dedicated to advancing equality to access sports and physical activity.
Meet our team

Vicky Joel
Vicky has over 20 years experience working in the sport and physical activity sector. Roles have included project managing exercise referral projects, club and community development and facility programming and sustainability for a large Local Authority.
Vicky has also worked in the third sector supporting local infrastructure and community and voluntary organisations to become more sustainable and to help local people into sustainable employment.
Vicky is a sports enthusiast and physical activity advocate who represented Sheffield Hallam Hockey Club in the National League. She was also Head Coach of Sheffield Hockey Club for 6 years during which time she led the Men’s 1st team to promotion to the National Premier Division.
Vicky was the Assistant Coach for the Wales Senior Women’s programme between 2011 and 2017, helping the progression and development of female athletes.
Currently, Vicky coaches Olton & West Warwickshire Men’s 1s in the National League & Khalsa Leamington Women’s 1s as well as part of the coaching team for the England Hockey Diploma in Sporting Excellence for the England Hockey player pathway.

Abi Dixon
Abi has worked at ThinkActive since 2006, before which she worked for Warwick District Council as a Sport Development Officer and Sports Coach.
Abi is the Senior Partnership Manager responsible for the effective delivery of our ‘Inspiring Active Communities’ strategy, leading the team and supporting the Director in the development of the organisation in terms of growth and sustainability.
Abi is particularly interested in the positive contribution sport and physical activity can make in terms of improving physical and mental health and in particular how physical activity can help improve the lives of those living with Dementia.
Abi sometimes find it hard to make time to be physically active but she does try; by riding her bike to work (it’s only a 1 mile, but it all adds up), making herself go running and walking her children and dog to school.

Annette Prestidge
Annette has extensive knowledge and experience after working in a variety of organisations within the commercial and public sectors, most recently working
in Facilities Management for CBRE at various IBM sites.
As the Business Support Officer for ThinkActive, Annette is responsible for the smooth operation of all administration systems and processes required to support the team and the organisation. She makes sure the office runs efficiently and effectively
Annette used to be a Coventry City season ticket holder and still regularly supports them.
Annette enjoys going to the theatre and concerts, gardening and regularly walking her dog.

Kerry Luckett
Kerry comes from a varied background working on extensive projects for the banking industry, public transport, and private businesses.
As Think Active’s Event Manager Kerry is responsible for the planning, promoting, and ensuring the smooth running of events. Organising events that inspire our community and allow individuals to thrive.
Kerry has been involved in a variety of sports but now focuses on Hockey, currently playing for Khalsa Leamington Ladies 1’s at Midlands Premier level. Has represented England Mixed and England Masters Hockey most recently playing in the Masters 2021 home nation’s tournament. Currently also coaching at KL hockey club and the Warwickshire Academy Centre with the U14 girls, in addition to coaching and playing she is the Chairperson of Khalsa Leamington Hockey Club.

Jordan Young
Jordan is the Partnership Manager for Health and the Solihull Area. Beyond this, he is our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Lead.
Jordan joined us having previously been the Community Manager for Wasps, where he originally started his career leading the Disability and Inclusion community programmes – putting to use his BSc (Hons) in Sports Coaching Science with Disability Sport.
Jordan likes to keep himself busy when he's away from Think Active through the multiple roles he is involved in – from Club Development to leading on the Warwickshire U16 Girls Rugby programme.
Jordan loves coaching, and works with a range of teams – and enjoy the opportunity to support other coaches on their journey too.
Away from the field, he tries to keep active through going to the gym, trying to learn to play new sports, and if nothing else I try and get plenty of steps in each day.
Jordan loves attending live events, whether that’s sporting, music or theatre – so if you ever want someone to go with you, let him know!

Lucy Wilkes
Lucy has a BSc Honours in Sports Development and Coaching from the University of Gloucestershire in 2017. Following this Lucy worked for Stratford-on-Avon District Council in the Active Communities Team as an Active Communities Support Officer and Leisure Officer working closely with the local leisure centres.
Lucy is the Partnership Manager for Warwickshire supporting Think Active’s priorities for the area. Lucy also leads on Think Active’s grants and funding and makes sure our funding gets to the right groups and clubs.
Lucy enjoys playing hockey, swimming and attempting to dance at a local Zumba group.

Rhiannon Lloyd
Rhiannon has a range of experience working with small businesses and social enterprises in Virtual Assistant, Project Manager and Marketing and PR Assistant roles.
In previous roles, Rhiannon has worked across finance, administration and marketing functions and has successfully improved efficiencies internally and increased reach and customer satisfaction externally.
Having seen the impact physical activity had on my mental health (Anxiety & Depression), I knew it was something I had to encourage amongst others. I enjoy walks and hiking, these became the chosen activity after rescuing my dog, Diesel. I am a firm believer that regular (as possible) exercise can help body and mind feel happier, healthier, and stronger.
I don't always find the time every day to exercise, but I do try to make it a priority wherever possible. Even if that is a longer than usual dog walk, a couple of extra laps around the supermarket, or bopping and bouncing around a concert floor or festival field!"
Meet our board

Sharon Lea
Sharon is currently Chief Executive Officer at Hammersmith and Fulham Borough Council. She was previously Strategic Director of Place at Birmingham City Council, and served 40 years in Birmingham.
Sharon continues to lead and manage the transformation of many front line services, managing thousands of people and multiple multi million pound budgets.
Throughout her career to date, Sharon has vast experience of working with the public, private and voluntary sectors across a diverse range of public and private agencies, to improve the lives of local people.
As Chair of Think Active Sharon led the organisation from its hosting arrangements to become Charitable Independent Organisation. Her financial and public sector expertise provide oversight and governance for Sport England and our other funders.
As Board Champion for our Environmentally Friendly & Climate Conscious focus Sharon brings leadership, support, challenge and expertise to the essential and emerging environmentally friendly and climate conscious agenda.

Paul Joyner
Paul is Vice Chair at Think Active and was integral in setting up the Think Active CSW, the Charitable Independent Organisation. As an inspirational leader with over 30 years experience across retail, merchanting, business to business and consultancy sectors Paul continues to contribute to the development and continual improvement of Think Active, its systems, processes and its people.
With decades of private sector experience, Paul is Financial Conduct Authority certificated and provides guidance and leadership to Think Active's finances, financial reporting and the story telling around the impact of Think Active investments and grant giving.
Paul is also a Non Exec Director for a training company aiming to change the domestic retrofit workplace for the better. He has a Law Degree. He is a consultant in the area of energy efficient and sustainable building and he works with his wife in her Garden Design business.
Paul has always drawn and doodled, so when the chance to career he took the opportunity to pursue my artistic ambitions. His first 'Life in Places was created for his wife for their 35th wedding anniversary, and since then Paul has completed commissions for anniversaries, weddings, 21st birthdays, and other significant events for customers all over the UK. His 3D Wire sculptures have sold all over the World, from the US and Canada to Germany, Australia and Taiwan. I create and exhibit wire sculptures reflecting my interest in Dance, the human form and movement.
Paul is also a keen runner.

Denise Finney
Denise has extensive experience as a Director in both an Executive and Non-Executive capacity. She has formerly held executive positions in both the public sector (Department for Transport) and private sector including TNT UK & Ireland and Powergen plc, in all cases focusing on the provision of information and technology services. She has been a Non-Executive director within the NHS Clinical Commissioning Group for Birmingham and Solihull and Centro (now Transport for West Midlands), in both cases chairing the Audit and Governance Committee, and with Sanctuary Housing, also serving as a member of the Audit and Governance Committee. In addition to her role with Think Active CSW she is a director of Riverside Freehold Limited based in Solihull.
As Chair of the Audit, Governance & Finance Committee Denise provides leadership and oversight for all Think Active's governance, operations and finance.
Denise gets great delight from travelling and exploring new destinations, especially places of architectural interest. For many years she has been actively involved with amateur motor racing where she is a startline judge with several local clubs. She also enjoys keeping fit and is a member and regular attendee at her local gym.

Liam Hope
Liam is an experienced senior and strategic leader with extensive experience across national reach programme delivery in the sports development, volunteering and education landscapes. Currently the Director of Engagement with SLQ Sports Leaders, the leading awarding organisation for leadership skills qualifications in the UK, Liam has a strong focus on empowering skill development in young people. He leads a team working with over 2,000 national and local partners across the UK, including schools, colleges, active partnerships, local authorities, community sports clubs and national governing bodies. A big believer in user/customer experience, he has extensive experience having previously worked in the financial sector and customer service environments. He also has a Law degree and masters in Sports Law and regulation.
As Board Champion for Welfare and Safeguarding Liam provides leadership, support, challenge and expertise to the essential and developing welfare and safeguarding agenda and to Think Active's internal safeguarding group.
Sport, physical activity and community engagement are part of his personal as well as professional life. A semi-professional footballer and keen golfer, Liam also enjoys films and socialising.

Dr Hussain Al-Zubaidi
Dr Hussain is a lifestyle doctor and team Great Britain Age Group long distance triathlete. He has a varied portfolio career across several sectors. These include being the Royal College of GPs lifestyle and physical activity lead, Leamington social prescribing lead, as well as a SWIM England clinical advisor. He runs a pioneering NHS based lifestyle clinic and fitness club helping to educate and support patients to eat better, move more and connect with their community. He has a strong focus on health span. Highlighting the lifestyle needed to prepare yourself to be the best 80-year-old. He is a well-respected educator delivering numerous talks and lectures to audiences both professional and public including a regular slot on the channel 4 show Steph’s packed lunch.
Movement, community, and nutrition are three cornerstones of his personal and professional life.
As a true advocate of the benefits of physical activity Dr Hussain builds physical activity into his day to day routine as well as finding time for training for triathlons.

Dr Shade Agboola
Shade joined Warwickshire County Council in October 2019 as Director of Public Health with responsibility for improving and protecting the health of Warwickshire’s population.
Shortly after Shade started in role, Covid arrived on the scene and she therefore spent the first two years leading on the pandemic response in Warwickshire and working with system partners to ensure that we protected our most disadvantaged and vulnerable residents.
In the last year, as Covid has settled and life has returned to some sort of normalcy, a different set of challenges have emerged. The cost-of-living crisis, precipitated by a complex mix of factors has raised the importance of health inequalities once again, similar to how the pandemic did.
Shade is currently working across Warwickshire County Council and the local health economy to ensure that we begin to think through and develop robust responses, actions and interventions to address/tackle the current challenge.
Shade leads and is supported by a great small team of about 27 people who work across different areas of public health – health improvement, health protection, health inequalities, mental health, children’s health and the wider determinants of health. This team links with and relies upon the impressive wider system in Warwickshire and a strong commitment amongst system partners to work collaboratively to influence all of what makes us healthy.
In her spare time, Shade loves to read. She also likes to travel, although most destinations have so far been limited to child friendly locations!
