Meet the Team - Ian Carey, CEO

We asked our CEO, Ian Carey, a few questions to help you get to know him a little better – from what drives his passion for physical activity to what he loves most about the Black Country!

1. Describe your role and responsibilties as the CEO.

As CEO for the Active Black Country partnership, I head up a fantastic, hardworking, passionate team who are responsible for the ongoing development of sport and physical activity across the Black Country.

I lead the Active Black Country team to develop and maintain the culture of the organisation, seeking to combine strategic vision with operational clarity to inspire and support our people, as well as our stakeholders to maintain a deep commitment to getting people active locally; and guide the organisation through both opportunity and challenge.

2. How is Active Black Country making a difference in getting people active across Dudley, Sandwell, Walsall and Wolverhampton?

Active Black Country is a charity that is passionate and committed to helping local people become physically active so they can enjoy the health and wellbeing benefits that an active lifestyle provides.

We seek to understand the need of partners, places and people who live and work across the Black Country. This is our ‘superpower’ – how we really understand this in as much detail as possible and understand the need, barriers and hopes of people we want to drive the change within.

Of equal importance is what we then do with that knowledge to influence delivery of services, provide grants, deliver training, influence the design of places and spaces to create opportunities for people to be active, and explore digital initiatives and campaigns to inspire people to move more.

We believe this work is so significant in the Black Country, given the pre-existing inequalities that mean the local people who will gain the most benefit from being active and moving more are currently least able to realise them.

3. What do you like most about the Black Country?

The people and sense of community spirit never ceases to amaze me!

4. In your work, what has been your biggest personal achievement recently?

Ensuring the conditions are in place to ensure the recent additions to the ABC team have settled in and been able to contribute to the mission of Active Black Country as quickly as they have. I cite this as much as their and our organisation’s achievement - but it has been inspirational to see their passion and contribution.

5. Describe yourself in three words?

Optimistic, compassionate, purposeful.

6. Describe what physical activity means to you and how it benefits your physical and mental wellbeing?

Fundamental to my approach is my lifelong belief that sport and physical activity can enrich and enable people’s lives. Having realised many of the benefits being active provides myself gives me the drive and passion to share and shape opportunities for others to do the same.