After a busy summer of sport, we’ve caught up with Mark Tweed, one of the WSA Board’s latest recruits, to talk all things sport in Wales….
Mark, you’ve joined the WSA at a time when the team has launched an exciting new strategy, what are your thoughts on the WSA’s plans to help its members in the sports sector?
I think it’s a really exciting time to be a part of the WSA team. I’ve reached a stage in my career where I’ve benefited hugely from my profession, and I’m conscious that I want to give something back. Sport and education are big passions of mine, and I’m keen to use my skills to contribute to helping the sector grow and develop. As we all know, being active is so important – I play golf and cycle, and recently completed the Welsh 3 Peaks and CarTen events. I really want to be a part of helping sport learn from other sectors in terms of the commercial aspects of improving financial sustainability, and in safeguarding the future success of the sector so that everyone has the same opportunities to enjoy activity that I’ve had.
What’s your biggest motivator?
I’m a firm believer that developing people is the biggest key to success, both in how they work individually and collectively as a team. I’ve been very fortunate to have been given a breadth of opportunity within my pan-European roles, and my experience of navigating businesses through the global financial crisis has given me an unique insight in leading teams – from ensuring business survival to working with dynamic development teams producing innovative products and services. I’ve been at the coalface of the shift in cultural thinking necessary to deal with change in an increasingly complex and challenging financial environment.
Tell us a little bit about your background?
I studied Industrial Chemistry at Cardiff University, before moving into corporate finance, becoming a Chartered Accountant at Coopers & Lybrand. After an early career in practice and financial services, I joined, what is now Opel Vauxhall Finance in 2007 as UK Financial Controller, before being promoted to UK CFO a year later. As I mentioned, my previous roles have been pan-European, including 18 months as MD of the UK, Sweden and Ireland businesses, but my latest role is a bit closer to home – Group CFO and Head of Legal for Henry Howard Finance, based in Newport. They’re hugely supportive of my role on the WSA board, and recognise the positive impact of sport, having been long term sponsors and supporters of Newport County AFC.
