Peter Jones – Honorary President
Pete was one of the founder members of the Club in 1988 and for many years could be found on the canal bank on a Saturday morning coaching our marathon racing squad. He also used to co-ordinate the British Canoeing Marathon Committee’s Geoff Sanders Inter-Club Trophy competition for under 12-year-olds. Although Pete is no longer involved in day-to-day coaching, he is a strong supporter of the Club and avidly follows the progress of the racing squad.
Geoff Barber – Club Chairman
Geoff is a former vehicle design engineer with a passion for kayaking. He is the first point of contact for anyone interested in trying out kayaking and is the main coordinator for our popular Saturday afternoon recreational sessions. In addition to coaching, Geoff is an enthusiastic racing paddler and is an active volunteer coordinator for our club. With his wealth of experience and expertise, he plays a crucial role in leading our club and fostering a welcoming and inclusive atmosphere for all members.
Duncan McArdle – Vice Chair
Duncan returned to kayaking a few years ago, enjoying and supporting both the recreational and racing sides of the club. He is passionate about the natural environment and sits on the boards of organisations whose purpose is to restore nature; helping them achieve their ambitions for the natural environment, for their people and commercially. Prior to becoming an independent business consultant, he filled a number of senior strategy roles for major PLCs operating across the UK and internationally; enabling them to grow their market positions and develop their competitive and operational capabilities.
Catherine Eaton – Club Secretary
Catherine serves as the Club Secretary, ensuring that the Club meets its obligations to the Charity Commission and British Canoeing. She manages the membership process, communicates club news and events to members, and is an occasional recreational paddler. With a background as a solicitor, Catherine brings valuable attention to detail and legal expertise to the committee.
Position vacant – Club Treasurer
We are looking for a Treasurer to ensure that our finances are properly managed by preparing our accounts and monitoring our spending to keep us financially stable.
Mark Bache – Trip coordinator
Mark is our trip coordinator and a keen canoeist with a particular interest in whitewater paddling. He is responsible for organizing our recreational trips and ensuring that our coaching program is effective and up-to-date. Mark’s background is in accounting, and he previously served as a Non-Executive Director of British Canoeing.
Julia Lawley – Coach Coordinator
Julia is one of our Racing Coaches who oversees the development of the club’s racing program. She is a Medical Classifier for GB Paracanoe. She also ensures that all coaches are qualified and up-to-date with the latest techniques and practices. Julia is a competitive paddler and enjoys racing herself.
Claire Aston – Welfare Officer
Claire is our welfare officer who ensures that safeguarding is a top priority for the club. She has been involved in the club since her son began racing, and now serves as the go-to person for paddlers or parents with any safeguarding concerns. Claire works closely with our coaches and committee members to create a safe and inclusive environment for everyone at the club.
Stacy Rae – Assistant Welfare Officer
Stacy is one of our Assistant Welfare Officers and works closely with Claire and Mandy to ensure that safeguarding is a top priority at the Club. With a background in working as a sign language interpreter and with and a keen interest in recreational paddling, Stacy is well-equipped to address any concerns related to the safety and well-being of our members.
Chris Thompson – Health and Safety Officer
Chris is our health and safety officer who makes sure we have up to date safety procedures and that we are doing what we can to keep everyone safe.
Mandy Lawton – Assistant Welfare Officer
Mandy is one of our Assistant Welfare Officers and works closely with Claire and Stacy to ensure that safeguarding is a top priority at the Club.
We are always happy to hear from any member who wants to get involved in the running of the club in whatever capacity. Although we elect committee members at the AGM once a year, usually in January or February, the committee can co-opt other members throughout the year. To get an idea of the role of the Committee see the Committe Terms of Reference and to see the responsibilities of each committee member see the Committee Role Descriptions .
Solihull Canoe Club 