ACTIVE BLACK COUNTRY WELCOMES TWO NEW BOARD MEMBERS

Active Black Country has strengthened its governance after appointing two new Board members.

Kaye Coulthard, Director of Resources at the Black Country Housing Group, joins as Chair of the Audit, Risk and Compliance Committee, with digital and information expert in healthcare, Chris Reynolds, bringing extensive public sector experience to the Board.

Kaye joins the Active Black Country Board with a wealth of not-for-profit experience in both local government and social housing at a senior and executive level.

Having started her career as an apprentice at Sandwell MBC, Kaye fulfilled a number of roles, mainly within strategic and corporate finance, culminating in her holding the position of Deputy s151 Officer for the Council. Kaye transitioned into the social housing sector in 2015 and became Director of Finance at Black Country Housing Group in 2018. She is also the exec sponsor for the group’s apprentices. Kaye is a qualified chartered accountant and in her spare time enjoys playing Crown Green Bowls.

Commenting on why she's excited to be joining the Board, Kaye says: "As someone who has grown up and continues to live in the local area, I’m familiar with the changing landscape of opportunities for people to access and participate in physical activity.

“Having played bowls since a very young age, I see first-hand how this connects people from all walks of life, and the huge positive impact activities like this can have on mental wellbeing, and also help to break down barriers to social exclusion. ABC has a strong mission and values which I believe truly puts the charity at the heart of communities. I’m really looking forward to helping to make a difference."

Chris has a proven track record of delivering large-scale digital transformation and complex programmes, leading cultural change, and achieving significant financial savings.

He is a nationally-recognised digital leader (HSJ Digital Awards shortlist 2026), SIRO-trained and a Professional Member of the British Computer Society.

Early in his career, he was a research fellow at University College London who delivered predictive models for clinicians, later becoming a commercial software developer and manager for a leading healthcare software supplier. His career has since focused on delivering excellent digital services that enable transformation.

Chris says: "In my work in the NHS I have often seen how an active lifestyle can make a difference to everyone’s mental and physical health; I have used both tai chi and regular walking to help myself whenever I have had poor health.

“I’m keen to use my experience in delivering technology change to help Active Black Country build a future where all ages, abilities & backgrounds are able to be active and lead a healthy life.”

Active Black Country extends its huge thanks to Jerry Page, Justyn Price and Sureya Gulzar, who recently stepped down from the Board. They have each made significant contributions to improve the governance of our charity over a number of years and leave with our gratitude.