Jamie Lewis is the Programme Director for SS4B, a vocational initiative dedicated to skills and business development. Alongside this, he leads the ESG function within his organisation, where he designs and delivers programmes that generate measurable environmental and social impact.

An accomplished business leader, Jamie has extensive expertise in sales, procurement, and sustainability. He is recognised for his ability to align commercial performance with responsible business practices, ensuring that growth and impact go hand in hand.

Jamie is deeply committed to charitable and community work, particularly in supporting young people and those from disadvantaged backgrounds. He actively contributes to several organisations, including Lofty Heights, Inspire, and The Family Business—a local initiative dedicated to helping individuals in care prepare for employment and succeed in the working world. He also mentors students aged 14–18 through the Future First programme, guiding them as they transition into further education or the workforce.

In addition, Jamie has played a key role in linking his current business with Suffolk New College as an industry partner, supporting a range of events including careers days and mentoring workshops. His ability to combine commercial insight with a genuine commitment to social value makes him a powerful advocate for inclusive opportunity and long-term community development.

 Jamie is a devoted family man—husband to April and father to Harvey (8) and Summer (5)—and a keen sportsman who enjoys football, running, and maintains a golf handicap of six.

Sam Turner

Safeguarding Lead

As the Safeguarding Lead for the Elena Baltacha Foundation, Shanade is committed to creating a safe, supportive environment where every young person can thrive through sport. She is passionate about the Foundation’s mission to empower children from all backgrounds through tennis, inspired by Elena’s legacy of resilience, opportunity, and inclusion.

In her role, she takes responsibility for ensuring that every child who participates in our programmes feels protected, heard, and respected. Safeguarding is at the heart of everything we do, and she works closely with coaches, volunteers, parents, and partner organisations to make sure our policies and practices are consistently upheld. This includes overseeing training, maintaining up-to-date procedures, and ensuring that any concerns are dealt with promptly, fairly, and with the utmost care.

She believes strongly in creating an environment where young people not only feel physically safe but emotionally supported. Her approach is centred on openness, trust, and communication. She strives to ensure that every child knows they have someone to talk to, and that their wellbeing is always our priority.

In addition to managing safeguarding processes, she actively contributes to shaping the culture of the Foundation, one where inclusion, respect, and positive behaviour are embedded into every session. She aims to empower young people to recognise their own value, to speak up when something doesn’t feel right, and to grow in confidence both on and off the court.

Safeguarding is more than a responsibility; it is a commitment to protecting the joy, potential, and future of every child we serve. Being part of the Elena Baltacha Foundation means she honours Elena’s legacy by helping to create the kind of environment she believed every young person deserved, safe, welcoming, and full of opportunity.

Wez Pooley

Wez Pooley is a former international and professional rugby player with extensive experience in mentoring, presenting, and delivering education. Dedicated to inspiring and educating the next generation of athletes, he is passionate about helping young talent unlock their potential and build strong foundations for the future.

Wez’s career is marked by an impressive list of achievements: Strength and Conditioning Coach for FA England Women, Premiership Football, and International Rugby; National Educator for APEC; and coach to elite international athletes. He has also worked with GB athletes, bringing his expertise to the highest levels of performance sport.

Holding a degree in Sports Science, a Master’s in Teaching, and qualifications as a sports coach, Wez has spent over 20 years in the education and fitness industry. His career journey spans professional sport, personal training, class instruction, and training the trainers. Today, alongside his continued coaching work, he serves as Performance Director at MUHDO Health, a leading DNA profiling company.

At the Elena Baltacha Foundation, Jay contributes both behind the scenes and on the ground. He takes part in the tennis roadshows as an assistant coach, where his sporting experience and ability to engage with young students add real value.

Jay is also an integral member of the Sport Skills 4 Business (SS4B) team. He attends every event, playing a vital role in both setup and delivery. In addition, he supports the social media team by helping to create high-quality, informative content, while also managing a range of day-to-day administrative duties that assist the senior operations team.

His skills extend into photography and filming, where he leads all SS4B filming projects with coaches and mentors, ensuring every shoot runs smoothly and professionally. Jay also plays a key role in the education side of SS4B, overseeing workbooks, certificates, and filing, all with exceptional attention to detail and professionalism.

Gareth Richman

PTR-qualified and LTA-accredited since 2010, Gareth has built an impressive coaching career across a wide range of clubs and programmes. He has worked as a tennis development coach at the Bank of England, Roehampton, as well as with All Star Tennis, the Annabel Croft Academy, Tennis4You, Boston Manor Tennis Club, and Sam Marland Tennis.

With a coaching philosophy rooted in passion, energy, and constructive engagement, Gareth is dedicated to inspiring players of all ages and abilities. He thrives on introducing people to tennis, helping them develop their skills, connect with others, and most importantly, enjoy their time on court.

A long-standing ambassador for The Elena Baltacha Foundation (EBF), Gareth recently delivered tennis programmes to 10 schools across London, running 48 sessions and engaging 1,264 children in the sport.

Beyond coaching, Gareth shares his expertise as a product specialist for Tennishead Magazine, Tennis Essentials, and the London Evening Standard, providing insights on rackets, shoes, and technical equipment, as well as interviewing leading tennis professionals.

Our director of tennis development for Colchester & Ipswich, Val is a coach who turns every court into an opportunity to play, have fun, and learn.

with over 20 years of coaching experience, natural leadership, and a compassionate approach, Val has an incredible ability to connect with children of all ages and abilities. whether it’s a shy 5-year-old picking up a racquet for the first time or an enthusiastic 11-year-old perfecting their serve, her positive energy is truly contagious.

her impressive background includes expertise in community safeguarding, mental health first aid training, and outstanding organisational skills, ensuring that every session is both safe and seamless.

val believes every child deserves to experience the joy of tennis and the thrill of achievement — her dedication to making sport accessible and fun shines through in every rally and every smile.