The Diane Modahl Sports Foundation (DMSF) has announced the charity’s new Chair, Jim Battle, the former Greater Manchester Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner.
Jim has a long career in public service working in many areas including; local government, mental health and well-being, housing, regeneration, community action, sports development and the voluntary sector.
Jim spent 14 years as a Manchester City Councilor for East Manchester and served as the Deputy Leader of the City Council for over 8 years, until he took up the position as Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner. J
im is also an active school governor at two local East Manchester schools. He’s demonstrated his leadership and governance skills, recently playing a pivotal role chairing the Greater Manchester Domestic Violence Reduction Board and Greater Manchester Mental Health Partnership Board.
Former Olympian, Commonwealth Games Gold Medallist, and Co-Founder of the DMSF, Diane Modahl said of the appointment: “We’re delighted to welcome Jim as the new chair of our board – he will be a superb addition to our winning team. He’s committed to ensuring Manchester continues to provide the very best by creating opportunities for young people, by encouraging young people themselves to aim high, to succeed in their careers and their future contributions to our City. DMSF strives to give young people a purpose, through and beyond sport, and currently works with 1180 young people in schools and community venues across Manchester.
Jim is a perfect match – his values are aligned with the culture and ethos of DMSF and we’re very pleased he’s taken up the position and believe it will result in a long and fulfilling partnership between Jim and the DMSF team as a whole.”
Jim Battle concluded: “I am delighted to join the Diane Modahl Sport Foundation. The commitment to young people in Manchester is outstanding and the track record of the DMSF in supporting and encouraging young people to aim high is very impressive. I would like to thank my predecessor Michael Colin whose stewardship has overseen the development of DMSF to become one of the leading Foundations for young people in Manchester. I look forward to Chairing a team of dedicated and committed volunteers.”
