Margaret Nolan

Margaret has more than 18 years experience working with and for National Governing Bodies of Sport and County Sports Partnerships plus 14 years in private industry in the financial services, engineering and retail sectors.  She brings a broad range of skills to the role of Board Director and a wealth of experience in the sports, exercise and leisure industries.

Margaret joined British Cycling in 1998 and worked her way up to become Head of National Programmes taking a leadership role to establish, recruit and manage a national development programme.  From 2007-2011 she managed Sport England's club and volunteer programme (runningsports) working across all 46 NGBs and the CSP Network, supporting paid and voluntary workforces with governance; administration; volunteering; and financial management products and services.  More recently Margaret was the Development Director at British Fencing and British Taekwondo, working with the respective CEOs, Senior Leadership Teams and Boards to create company strategy, turning the company vision into action through national, regional and local delivery programmes.  Margaret has achieved success through effective collaboration and continues to share her passion to empower others to innovate, inspire and activate participation.

Away from work Margaret is an active volunteer, enjoys walking, yoga and has recently taken up climbing.

Margaret Nolan, says: “It is with great honour and appreciation that I accept the role of Independent Board Member.  I see my new position as an exciting opportunity to be a productive part of an already highly competent team.  I look forward, with enthusiasm, to supporting the Senior Management Team, Staff and Volunteers as British Orienteering progresses towards its ambition to be recognised as the ‘go to’ outdoor sport where people challenge themselves physically and mentally.” 

Darren Bernstein

Darren has worked in sports marketing for 20 years.  With a background in Football, having worked at The Football Association of Ireland, Charlton Athletic, The Football League and The Football Association.  More recently he was the Director of Marketing & Communications at England Squash, where he led the rebrand of the organisation, and oversaw the creation of the organisation’s Marketing, Commercial, Communications, Major Events and Competitions Strategy.  He is currently a Lecturer in Football Business & Marketing at UCFB Etihad.

Away from work, he is married with 2 young children and is a keen runner who is eager to break 2 hours for the half marathon.

Darren Bernstein, says:  “I am absolutely delighted and honoured to have been given this opportunity and am excited to serve the Orienteering community in the best way I can.”

Judith Holt, Chair of British Orienteering, says: 

"I am delighted to welcome both Margaret and Darren to the British Orienteering Board.  On behalf of myself and other Board members, we look forward to working together with you at Board level.  They both join at an important time as we strive to implement our strategy for the development of orienteering in the UK at this key time in the evolution of the sport. I am pleased that with these two appointments we now have a Board with a 50:50 gender balance. "

To maintain the rotation of directors Margaret will serve an initial term of office of two years until Easter 2019 and Darren an initial term of office of three years until Easter 2020.  Both appointments are potentially renewable for two further periods each of three years.

More information about the board of directors including minutes of previous board meetings can be viewed here.