As Para Dance UK continues to grow and evolve, CEO Patrick McGeough has made the difficult decision to step down from his position. Emma Millward, Head of Dance and Lin McGeough, Operations Manager have also decided to step down.
Over the last 12 years, Patrick, Emma, and Lin have transformed Para Dance UK into what it has become today. Growing and developing from its origins of the Wheelchair Dance Sport Association to it’s current mission.
The aim was, and continues to be, that “Everyone Can Dance” whatever your age or ability and their passion for inclusive dance has inspired many. Supported by amazing funders, Patrick and the team have worked tirelessly to bring Inclusive Dance opportunities to thousands of people from across the UK. Even through the ongoing pandemic, together they successfully moved content online to ensure that everyone could still take part, offering a much-needed outlet to those who were impacted by the pandemic and continued isolation.
The board of trustees extend their gratitude for their hard work and dedication to the charity and wish them the very best.
To make sure that Para Dance UK continues to be successful we are putting in place new leadership
arrangements. We are proud to introduce Eddie Longworth who will take over as interim CEO from 4 March 2022. In addition to a 25-year background in business growth, leadership, and strategic planning Eddie is also a passionate ballroom dancer and successful competitor with extensive contacts throughout the sector. Eddie has worked on 3 different continents advising major companies on development issues and along the way he also built his own enterprise which eventually grew to employ 65 people and have a multi-million-pound turnover. He is fully equipped to help us build a solid platform on which to build the next phase of Para Dance and the team are very excited to be working with Eddie and the new opportunities that come with his appointment.
Rest assured, Para Dance UK will still be running our planned projects as we transition into our new leadership structure. As a team, we look forward to the future with confidence and belief. In these changing times we will need to adjust our approach and deploy the new skills we need to grow and mature as an organisation. Raising the required funds for us to flourish will always be difficult, but we will bring fresh vigour, optimism, and insight to any barriers in our way.