Business leader joins sports charity board of trustees

An executive leader and qualified accountant with more than 20 years’ experience in Finance and SMEs has joined Sport 4 Life UK’s board of trustees.

Julie Bailey (pictured) is the founder of accounting firm Cygnus Consultancy Ltd, where she personally supports founders, boards and teams in Finance, HR, IT and Operations as a fractional CFO.

In addition, Julie has co-founded organisations Turnkey Venture Partners Ltd who’s mission is to support startups of today to becoming market leaders of tomorrow.

In 2023 Julie also exited the health supplement e-commerce she co-founded to focus more time on growing Pie Financial Ltd, who specialise in e-commerce accounting.

Julie has received recognition for her achievements, in 2022 winning Business Woman of the Year at the Birmingham Signature Awards as well as being shortlisted in 2023 for the CFO of the Year at the Women in Finance UK Awards.

Julie said: "Embracing the role of trustee at Sport 4 Life UK is a profound choice rooted in my desire to contribute to an organisation dedicated to fostering positive change for young individuals.

“The ethos of Sport 4 Life resonates profoundly with my personal values. It addresses a void I keenly felt during my own upbringing in an economically deprived environment, where access to opportunities was regrettably lacking.

“Sport 4 Life’s commitment not only to changing the lives of the youth it serves, crafting an alternative future for them but also to altering the business landscape they subsequently engage with, embodies the essence of impactful societal change. I am extremely proud to join the board at such an exciting time as we progress the five-year strategy."

Welcoming Julie to the board of trustees, Sport 4 Life UK CEO Tom Clarke-Forrest said: “I'm delighted to welcome Julie to the Board of Trustees.

“Julie comes with a huge passion for the region and young people, but also with an impressive track record and financial and commercial acumen.

“I am pleased that she is also joining our Finance, Audit and Risk committee, as part of our new-look committee structure.

“I'm sure Julie's strengths and passion will support us on our collective journey and progress towards our 2027 strategy.”

Julie has held previous Trusteeships at employment related organisations and brings a wealth of experience to the role.

Based at Digbeth’s Custard Factory, Sport 4 Life UK uses sport as a vehicle to achieve sustained education, training and employment outcomes for young people.

Since its inception in 2006, it has grown into the leading sport-for-employability charity across the West Midlands, meaningfully supporting over 2,000 young people towards better futures each year.