Chris Emsley

Chris Emsley was appointed as Chair for the Welsh Judo Association in June 2024, having been appointed as an INED in April 2024.

Chris comes to the Welsh Judo Association as a Senior Lecturer and Non Executive Director with more than ten years of experience in Sport and Leisure, including roles at University of South Wales (USW), Wales Golf, Bowls Wales and Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council. Chris currently sits as Vice Chair of CIMSPA’s Welsh Professional Development Board, consulting with stakeholders, and striving to grow the attractiveness of working in sport and physical activity in Wales. At USW, Chris leads two undergraduate degrees in Sports Coaching and
Development.

With a wealth of experience and proven track records, his expertise will no doubt help with the continuous growth of the sport of Judo in Wales.

Barry Cawte

Barry Cawte was appointed as Vice Chair and Governance Director for the Welsh Judo Association in January 2024.

Barry was appointed Chief Executive of Cricket Wales in June 2024, having formerly been CEO of Scottish Hockey, the third largest team sport in Scotland. Barry led Scottish Hockey to finalists as governing body of the year in Scottish sport in 2022.

Barry previously served as Chief Executive of the Welsh Rugby Players Association (WRPA). His work there throughout the pandemic included trade unionism, negotiating long term collective bargaining agreements and establishing commercial deals.

In a new era for Tennis Wales, Barry became their first independent Chair between 2018 2022. Tennis Wales now has record levels of participation and funding and is seen by many as an exemplary governing body.

Robyn Pinder

Robyn joins the Welsh Judo Association as a Lecturer in Higher Education and has over 5 years experience in academia including roles at University of South Wales (USW) and Cardiff Metropolitan University (CMU). Her background is in socio cultural issues in sport a nd sports philosophy and ethics but at this moment in time more she’s leading two undergraduate degrees in Community Football Coaching and Development at USW. Robyn has held a number of voluntary roles in sport including roles at The British Philosophy of Sport As soc iation and The Football Association of Wales. She’s also a football player for Swansea City Women in the top tier of Welsh football.

Robyn is passionate about inspiring communities to embrace physical activity and making sport accessible to everyone, regardless of background or ability. Robyn will look to draw on her experience to help the WJA achieve its objectives and grow the sport.

Jonathon Jones

Jonny joined the Welsh Judo Association Board, an Independent Non Executive Director in September 2024.

With a varied portfolio, Jonny brings expertise in Digital, Marketing and Innovation but also 10 years of Governance and Board experience from across the education and third sectors. Jonny is a former Trustee Board Chair, Event Manager/Producer of TedX, and previous Associate of the Arts Council Wales.

Jonny is co founder of a Digital Marketing and Content design business and delivers the Enterprise and Entrepreneurship services at the University of South Wales, where he manages the Enterprise Team.

Beyond his professional work, Jonny is a keen Karateka, affiliated to the Karate Union of Great Britain. He has competed at are gional level in both individual and team events and has been fortunate enough to train in Japan.

Lee Shinkin

Lee Shinkin is accountable for Business Development & Commercial. Lee is currently a Business Development lead for AtkinsRéalis with responsibility for the Digital, Technology and Transformation consultancy business facing into a key Critical National Infrastructure sector. His consultancy experience spans security, defence and aviation sectors.

Lee brings years of experience of being a member of the GB Judo team.

Georgina Bevan

As a retired Olympian and a successful international Judoka, Georgina is keen to give back to the sport that gave her so much. Georgina represented Great Britain for 15 years and during this time she became a European and Commonwealth Champion. She also gained various European Championship medals, placed 5th in the Osaka World Championships and 7th in the Athens Olympic Games.

Georgina currently a volunteer at Irfon Judo Club and have introduced her only children to judo as she believe it is an incredible sport for young children to do and key for child development. She relishes in seeing young children learn and grow both as a teacher and coach. As a coach, Georgina consistently sees the huge benefits judo can bring to the lives of young people. She believes whole hearted ly that judo is an incredible sport and believe all children should have the opportunity to develop the skills that judo can offer them.

She is extremely passionate about grass roots development, and as a Head of Education for a Welsh County Council is keen to integrate judo opportunities into school curricula to support the role out of Curriculum for Wales and support schools to overcome the challenges of the Covid 19 pandemic we are seeing in our young people.

Shaun Davies

Shaun Davies is a coach at Judo Swansea, based at Swansea University and Dunvant Social Centre. He started his judo journey at Sanshirokwai where he won multiple Welsh titles and British medals.

While training at the National Dojo with the Welsh Squad, Shaun also trained at Samurai Olympic Judo Club, where his father, Daniel Davies was Head Coach under the watchful eye of Sensei Alan Petherbridge MBE.

Following a long period away from Judo to focus on academic studies Shaun returned to Judo, qualified as a Coach and set up Judo Swansea. Away from Judo, Shaun holds a PhD in Biology/Nutrition and has professional qualifications in accounting.

Shaun is still active on the competitive masters scene recently winning another British title and taking a bronze at the 2019 Commonwealth Championship.

Shaun hopes to bring his passion for Judo together with his experience and knowledge to the Welsh Judo board to enable Welsh Judo to succeed long term across Wales by supporting clubs, coaches and judoka.

Janelle Carter-Jones

Janelle joined the Board as one of the Welsh Judo elected Directors. She is a representative of Imperial Judo and currently has two children actively involved in Judo. Her eldest is a cadet who is emerging on the performance pathway and her youngest is only just beginning to complete as a minor.

Janelle is also an ex Welsh competitor, but due to injury and work commitments, had to retire from the sport 20 years ago.

Janelle hopes to bring to the Board her professional knowledge and skill as a practising Solicitor, and encourage a very dynamic, transparent and effective way in connecting with judoka, clubs/coaches and parents.

Shaun hopes to bring his passion for Judo together with his experience and knowledge to the Welsh Judo board to enable Welsh Judo to succeed long term across Wales by supporting clubs, coaches and judoka.

Rich Buchanan

Rich is a qualified Chartered Physiotherapist with an MSc in Rehabilitation, a UEFA ‘A’ Licence football coach, EXOS Performance Specialist certified supplemented with leadership and management qualifications. Rich has experience applying his professional knowledge in Health care, Police, Military, corporate and professional sports environments.

Rich has held positions such as Performance Director at Zone7, an artificial intelligence company and Swansea City FC, Perfor
man ce and Medical auditor for the Premier League, EFL and FA as well as operating in multiple consultancy roles for international elite sportin g a nd education organisations. He’s a director and owner of a care company and looks forward to assisting Welsh Judo meet its strategic objectives.

Keith Lowcock

Keith has over 20 years’ experience in strategic planning, financing and investments. Keith has a track record working for a Hong Kong listed bluechip company raising funds over US $1.5 billion and numerous strategic projects of over US $1 billion. Keith had also led operational teams in a Singapore bank, where he gained abundance exposure to operations, compliance, technology and project management. Keith starte d h is career in a big four accounting firm specialising in tax audit.

Keith is still active in Masters Athletics competitions and enjoys his social football, cricket and lawn bowls.