Governance Foundation Learning for Board & Committee Members

03 December 2025

England Golf are continuing to support Golf Clubs with Governance, with a tailored learning course for Board & Committee members.

Strong governance is the cornerstone of a successful, sustainable golf club. It ensures that decisions are made transparently, roles are clearly defined, and the club operates legally, ethically, and strategically. Yet we recognise that often many volunteers and Directors step into decision making and governance roles at clubs without formal training or support.

GCMA Members Webinar with England Golf

Join us on the 17th December, where we’re joined by Gavin Anderson of England Golf for a webinar session tailored towards introducing the new training initiative. Helping to bridge the governance learning gap between General Managers, Boards and Committees.

Introducing Governance Training for Golf Club Voluntary Board Directors and Committee Members

17th December | 14:00

REGISTER FOR FREE HERE

Building on the success of their Blueprint to Good Governance, England Golf has developed the Governance Foundation Learning Workbook – a free, self-paced course designed to help club leaders build confidence and competence in their governance responsibilities.

Whether someone who is new into the role, due to take on a position soon or just looking to refresh their knowledge, this course will help you:

Understand the structure and function of your club’s governance
Clarify roles and responsibilities across your club’s structure
Strengthen your understanding of legal duties and compliance
Promote a positive club culture and inclusive decision-making
Improve strategic thinking and leadership within your governance team

Governance in golf clubs is only ever as strong as the people who deliver it – this training ensures those in leadership roles have the confidence, clarity and capability to lead their clubs effectively.

Getting started is simple. The course is delivered through a digital workbook and can be completed at your own pace, making it easy to fit around other commitments.

Click here to sign up and begin your training

Once signed up, England Golf will email delegates with details of how to gain access to the workbook, supporting resources, and knowledge check quizzes. Complete all sections and pass the final assessment to receive your Certificate of Completion from England Golf.

We look forward to supporting you through your governance learning journey!

FIND OUT MORE ABOUR ENGLAND GOLF’S GOVERNANCE SUPPORT

By Mark Shanley

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John Steele

John Steele is a former professional athlete, sports coach, Olympic Leader and is the Executive Director of Sport at Loughborough University. He has been Chief Executive across a range of sectors. Drawing on leadership experience of nine different Olympic and Paralympic Games (including the amazing events at the Rio Games), John reflects on the lessons from this unique period in British sport and relays his fascinating views on creating high performing teams.

Indeed, inspired from PyeongChang 2018 Olympic Winter Games, by the most successful performance ever for Team GB, he has a whole host of new business and leadership insights into how this was brilliant performance was achieved and how it can translate back into your organisation.

John moved into the corporate world, before he enjoyed an outstanding career as a professional rugby player achieving international honours. After his playing career, he turned his hand to coaching and achieved the highest accolade for a British club coach by winning the European Cup with Northampton Saints. He then became Executive Director on the Saints Board during a period of unprecedented growth, and served on the England Rugby Board during the successful world cup campaign of 2003. It was no surprise that John’s talents were called upon to drive through a change and modernisation programme as CEO of the Rugby Football Union – a challenge that became controversial and ended in his departure from the post after only a year, but with his dignity and professional pride intact.

Headhunted by UK Sport, John took up post as CEO the day before London won the 2012 Olympic bid – and this promising start was sustained as he embarked on developing the UK’s high performance sport system, which he led for a six-year period of unprecedented success through the Beijing and London Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Post-London 2012, with the Olympic legacy in place and an obligation to continue inspiring a generation, John took up his post as Group Chief Executive of the Youth Sport Trust. He has also succeeded Steve Cram as Chairman of the English Institute of Sport, an organisation described as ‘the team behind the team’, which delivers a range of performance impacting solutions to over 40 Olympic and Paralympic sports and some non-Olympic sports.

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Dr Jo Salter MBE

Dr Jo Salter MBE is famed for becoming the first female fast jet pilot, having flown the Panavia Tornado ground attack aircraft during her services in the Royal Air Force. Joining the RAF aged 18, Jo has since taken Air Cadets into the skies as part of Air Experience Flights, become the Director of Global Transformative Leadership for PWC, and most recently become a Global Advisory of GenAI for PwC.

Jo has piloted flights in the Air Cadets Air Experience Flights and inspired countless budding armed service members to pioneer a male-dominated sector, having been the leader of an all-male squadron. Since leaving the military behind, Jo has established a strong business career working in roles such as Head of Technical Services for NetConnect, European Operations Manager for Automated Power Exchange and Managing Director of Saltin Ltd.

Having developed first-class expertise in leadership, analytical thinking and performing under pressure, Jo is now a highly sought-after public speaker to share stories from her time in the skies.

Jo is a passionate Trustee of The Royal Air Force Club and an Ambassador of the Global Angels charity, an organisation that gives communities around the world access to clean water, education, healthcare and encourages female and youth empowerment. Jo has also authored two books, titled Energy: 52 Ways to Fire Up Your Life and Become an Energy Angel and Energize: Spring Clean Your Mind and Body to Get Your Bounce Back Today and Every Day.

In recognition of her achievements throughout her career, Jo has also been named as one of the 50 Most Inspiring Women in the World by Harpers & Queen. She is now working as the Director of Global Transformation Leadership at PWC, after working in other roles such as Director of Risk Technology Strategy, Director Chief of Staff to Head of Technology & Investments and the Director of People & Organisations.

In 2022, Jo was invited personally by Tom Cruise to attend the premiere of Top Gun: Maverick. Most recently, Jo received an honorary doctorate of Arts from Bournemouth University.