Active Gloucestershire has announced the appointment of Kirsty Dunleavy-Harris as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO), following the departure of Tom Beasley, who led the charity for the past seven years.
Kirsty, who joined the organisation in 2012, has played a key role in shaping its strategy and driving community-led initiatives across the county. She previously served as Deputy CEO and Director of Physical Activity, helping to steer the charity through a period of growth, innovation and renewed focus on inclusion.
During her time with the organisation, Kirsty has spearheaded projects such as Beat the Street, built strong community networks including Glos Girls Can and the Active Ageing Forum, and championed collaboration between health, education and voluntary sectors.
Her leadership has also been recognised nationally for embedding equality, diversity and inclusion within the organisation’s culture. “I’m excited and proud to lead an organisation that’s so close to my heart,” Kirsty said.
“Active Gloucestershire has been my home for more than a decade, and I’ve seen first-hand the power of working together to remove barriers and make being active part of everyday life.
My focus is on inclusion and collaboration — creating a county where everyone can enjoy the benefits of an active lifestyle in a way that works for them.”
Emma Owen, Chair of Active Gloucestershire, said Kirsty’s passion and experience made her the ideal person to lead the charity into its next chapter.
“Kirsty’s energy, compassion and commitment to tackling inequalities make her the perfect person to lead us into the future,” she said. “She embodies the values that make Active Gloucestershire special — authenticity, collaboration and a deep belief in people.”