Damien Smith is the Director of Operations at North Yorkshire Sport, where he has been a key member of the leadership team since 2012. With more than 27 years’ experience in sport, physical activity, Active Wellbeing and public sector partnership working, Damien is passionate about creating opportunities that help people lead healthier, more active lives.
In his role, Damien oversees the organisation’s operational delivery, leading a talented development team and managing strategic partnerships with organisations including Sport England, the York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority, the Humber & North Yorkshire Integrated Care Board, City of York Council and North Yorkshire Council. He plays a central role in ensuring North Yorkshire Sport delivers impactful programmes that improve health, wellbeing and opportunities for communities across the region.
Damien provides strategic leadership across several key areas, including sports governance, active travel, safeguarding and welfare, and equality, diversity and inclusion. He is responsible for ensuring the charity meets the highest standards of governance as a Tier 3 organisation under the UK Code for Sports Governance, while championing inclusive approaches that enable people from all backgrounds and communities to access the benefits of being physically active.
Before joining North Yorkshire Sport, Damien held a variety of development and leadership roles across local government, education and national governing bodies, including Harrogate Borough Council, the Harrogate School Sports Partnership and British Triathlon. These experiences have given him a broad understanding of how collaboration between sectors can create lasting change for communities.
Damien graduated from Leeds Metropolitan University with an Honours Degree in Physical Education and continues to be driven by a belief that strong partnerships, innovative thinking and inclusive leadership can transform lives through sport and physical activity.
Telephone:
01423 637652
Email:
Damien@northyorkshiresport.co.uk
Linkedin:
DamienSmith