This week, we’re thrilled to officially welcome our new CEO, Don Barrell, who joined our team on Monday.
Don brings with him a wealth of experience, having served as the Head of Performance Programmes and Pathways at England Rugby (RFU). With a lifelong dedication to sport, we’re excited to welcome Don aboard as we start this new chapter.
On taking the reins at Greenhouse, Don says: “I’m truly excited to begin my journey with Greenhouse Sports and our Team for Life. It’s a real privilege to lead an organisation like Greenhouse, I’m inspired by what they do. Those that know me and have worked with me will know that the values and culture of this charity and its mission to deliver the positive development of young people to improve life outcomes resonates completely with me.
Sport has been a lifeline for me and a thread through my personal development and professional career. From my beginnings as a boy at school with an excess of energy, rugby helped me channel that, and I had great teachers and coaches in my professional playing and coaching career who spotted that and turned me towards it, just like Greenhouse coaches do with our young people, day-in day out. That experience undoubtedly guided me into my studies in anthropology and a career in athlete and team development.
I have expressed to all at Greenhouse that I am committed to building a culture that celebrates the superpowers all the Greenhouse coaches and staff and allows them and their work to flourish, and I include you, our wonderful supporters, and your engagement with Greenhouse as a vital cog in our wheel.
My personal thanks for you support as we continue the progression of Greenhouse and cultivate the opportunity to deliver even more opportunity for the young people we look after.”