Halberg Announces New Chief Executive
The Halberg Foundation is delighted to announce that Thomas (Tom) Smith has been appointed as Chief Executive.
Tom has an extensive leadership background in sport and disability having worked in the Disability Sport sector since 2007.
Tom is currently National Grants Manager at Lion Foundation having previously held the role of Chief Executive of Parafed Auckland.
Prior to emigrating to New Zealand with his wife and young family, Tom’s UK-based roles include being involved in the 2012 Paralympics, National Partnership Manager for Special Olympics Great Britain before joining Sport England as Senior Manager Disability and the England & Wales Cricket Board as National Growth Manager Disability.
Chair Carolyn Steele said “After an extensive search, the board is delighted that Tom is joining Halberg. We believe that Tom’s passion and leadership experience in the sector will help drive Halberg’s community work forward as it continues to realise Sir Murray’s vision, that all young New Zealanders regardless of physical ability experience the benefits of participating in sport and recreation”.
“Halberg is fortunate to have a fantastic team as well as the support of our valued sponsors and partners, and we look forward to working with Tom in providing quality sport and recreation opportunities, inclusion education and wraparound support for disabled tamariki and rangatahi and their whānau”.
Tom Smith said “I am excited to accept this wonderful opportunity as CEO of The Halberg Foundation and I am looking forward to working with the team to improve opportunities for young disabled people across Aotearoa. Disability Sport has been a large part of my life and career to date and I am committed to increasing participation and balancing inequities within sport and recreation”.
Tom will be known to many of the Halberg team already, having joined as a future director (board observer) earlier this year, then having taken leave to be considered for the role.
Tom will join the Halberg Foundation on Monday 3 October 2022. In the meantime, Operations Manager Anne-Maree Broom will continue as Interim Chief Executive.
