Ministerial Adviser appointed to examine concussion in sport
Sports Minister Nigel Huddleston has announced that Laurence Geller CBE has been appointed as a ministerial adviser on concussion in sport.
- Laurence Geller CBE to drive forward understanding of head injuries in sport, and accelerate action by National Governing Bodies
- Appointment follows virtual summits that brought together figures from across sport to discuss impact of head injuries and how to step up efforts to improve player welfare
- Mr Geller to shape further government action to ensure that sport is as safe as possible for all, with details to follow later this year
Mr Geller, who is a leading expert in dementia care and a pioneer in bringing the latest research and technology to bespoke dementia care facilities, has an extensive background in the business, hospitality and charity sectors. He is Chairman of the ‘Love of the Game’ campaign, which has brought together a united community with a shared passion for sport, seeking to reduce concussion-related issues arising from contact and non-contact sports.
He will bring his experience to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport to help improve the understanding of head injuries in sport, taking player concerns into account, and help develop a set of actions that the Government will take to improve awareness and management of the issue. Further details will be published later this year.
Mr Geller will support the government on their three step plan on concussion: 1) to accelerate action by National Governing Bodies to strengthen concussion research 2) to work with sport, education and health authorities on their concussion protocols, and 3) To maximise the use of technological advances and drive innovation to improve safe participation in sport.
The government wants to ensure that the sport sector is working together to coordinate research in this area and determine the extent of health impacts of occupational injuries from contact sports.
Sports Minister Nigel Huddleston said:
Sport should be safe for everyone, whether at elite or grassroots level. We want to learn from both the past and the latest scientific evidence to make sure proper protections are in place, including improving awareness around preventing and managing concussion.
I am delighted to have Laurence on board. He will play an instrumental role in coordinating action taking into account player concerns to help minimise risk in future.
Laurence Geller CBE said:
I am honoured and delighted to have the opportunity to work with ministers from the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport in their efforts to tackle the crucial issue of concussion in sport. I care passionately about this subject and will do everything I can to help make all of our sports as safe as possible for participants of all ages and levels.
I am looking forward to working with people from across the sporting landscape – and beyond – to find ways to protect both players and sports to ensure everyone can enjoy taking part in sport safely.
Earlier this year Mr Geller joined two virtual summits, led by the Culture Secretary and Sports Minister, that brought together figures from a range of contact sports to discuss the impact of head injuries and how to step up efforts to improve player welfare.
The first summit took place with a number of people closely linked to the world of sport, some of whom have been affected by head injuries themselves. Attendees included campaigner for research into football and concussion Dawn Astle (and daughter of late footballer Jeff Astle), former Tottenham and Hull footballer Ryan Mason, former England cricket captain Michael Vaughan, England Rugby Union World Cup winner Matt Dawson, former rugby league player Stevie Ward, former rugby union player Simon Shaw and Laurence Geller CBE.
It focused on their experiences and their views on what more should be done to improve player welfare, which included calls for more research, better education, and the sharing of best practice across sports.
The second summit was attended by senior leaders from the governing bodies at the Football Association, Premier League, English Football League, Rugby Football Union, Rugby Football League, England and Wales Cricket Board, British Horseracing Authority, GB Boxing and GB Taekowndo. Representatives from the English Institute of Sport (EIS), NHS England and Department for Education were also in attendance.
It focused on the current evidence base, what steps sports are taking around concussion prevention and care to mitigate any risks - including for children and players at grassroots level - and how research and best practice can be shared. Attendees were encouraged to work together and to report back with their recommendations.
Following the summit, the Sports Minister said:
With the clear commitment to work together shown by all governing bodies and health professionals, I am confident we will make swift progress in improving the welfare of our present and future sports stars. Now is the time to form a coherent approach - to prevent the risk and potentially devastating impact of head injuries at elite and grassroots level, and protect the sports we love.
ENDS
Notes to editors:
-
This role is not remunerated.
-
Laurence Geller CBE is currently founder, Chairman, and Chief Executive Officer of Geller Capital Partners. He is also founder, Chairman and Chief Executive of Loveday and Co, the UK’s pioneer in leading edge high-end dementia care residential facilities. Mr. Geller is a businessman and entrepreneur who has led multi-national corporations in the hospitality industry, most recently as Founder, President and Chief Executive Officer of Strategic Hotels & Resorts (NYSE: BEE), a company he founded in 1997. Mr. Geller is a graduate of Ealing Technical College’s school of hotel management and catering and in May 2011 was appointed Chancellor of the University of West London, the successor to Ealing Technical College and Thames Valley University which houses the London Geller College of Hospitality and Tourism. On December 31, 2011, Mr. Geller was named a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. He has over 50 years of experience in the lodging industry and has received numerous awards for his service to the hospitality industry for his civic, educational and philanthropic endeavors.