The Aims of The Russell Martin Foundation
The Russell Martin Foundation is a non-profit organisation (registered charity number 1174134) based in Brighton & Hove which uses the power of football to help change people’s lives. It was set up by professional footballer Russell Martin (originally as the Russell Martin Academy), who wanted to give something back to the city in which he was born.
Vision
For our local community to prosper.
Mission Statement
Using the power of football in our local community to empower individuals to improve their lives and their environment.
Our Values
Opportunity
Inclusivity
Quality
Sustainability
Our Strategy
Find out more about our strategy for the future.
See the planAnnual reportOur Environmental Pledges
- Discourage single use plastics within all of our provision
- Ensure that all company vehicles are hybrid by 2023
- All facility management projects will focus on improving the environment
- All of our alternative education provision include modules on improving the environment
Our Team
Founder


Russell Martin
Founder
Trustees

Russell Martin
Founder and Chair


Kieran Mercer
Trustee
Kieran is a litigation lawyer whose practice includes sports disputes. He played youth football for Arsenal and Brighton and Hove Albion before playing non-league and then heading to New York on a soccer scholarship to complete his masters. Whilst in New York, he worked as a delegate at the United Nations and then spent two years teaching and lecturing in Latin America. As a keen rock climber, surfer and mountain biker, Kieran is especially looking forward to contributing to the development of the Russell Martin Foundation’s adventure activities offering.


Kay Watson
Trustee
Kay Watson has worked in education since 1995 and is a primary school deputy head teacher with special interests in inclusion; special educational needs; behaviour and equalities. My commitment to RMF is everything to do with their educational commitment and vision!

James Burt
James, hailing from Southwick and a former student at BHASVIC college in Hove, embarked on his accountancy career early on by joining Cardens Accountants in 2009. With a stellar track record in exams, he achieved the esteemed status of Chartered Certified Accountant in 2014. As an integral part of the Hove team, James obtained his practicing certificate and rose to the position of associate in 2022. His diverse portfolio consists of local owner-managed businesses, and he excels in assisting them with their accounting and tax challenges. James takes pride in his ability to provide straightforward, jargon-free advice and personalised service, building strong and lasting relationships with his clients in the ever-evolving world of accountancy and taxation.

Jamie Martin
Trustee
Born and raised in Brighton. I attended Varndean School where I was Headboy in my final year. I then completed my A-Levels at Varndean College and thereafter achieved a BA in Acting at The Royal Central School of Speech & Drama, London. I have spent 25 years as an actor with numerous television, film and stage credits. I am also a playwright who has been performed in two London productions and the Brighton Fringe Festival. Alongside my creative career I have over a decades experience working with a company called Team Thinking who specialise in delivering Leadership and Prefect training to secondary school pupils in both the State and Independent sector. I also worked with Groundtruth Consulting for 20+ years all around the globe, specialising in conflict resolution and Hostile Environment training, with clients such as the Foreign & Commonwealth Office, the UN and private corporation


Adrian Batchelor
Trustee
Adie is a local, having lived in the Brighton and Hove area for most of his life. He played County football for Southwick, Steyning and Shoreham in the late 70’s through to the early 90’s. His career was in Financial Services and Wealth Management for over 40 years, retiring from a senior leadership role with FTSE 100 Company St. James’s Place in 2019.


Neal Young
Trustee
He started his career in catering operations running hotels before moving into training & development and then senior HR Director roles with such companies as The Rank Organisation, Gala Coral Group, and Inspiring Learning, with over 25 years at Board level. In 2009 he decided to move into the HR Consultancy and Executive Coaching world, having moved to Brighton, with the intention of ensuring that a proportion of his work is within the Third sector. He is currently a Trustee Board Director of three Pension Schemes and Acting Chair of Carers Support West Sussex which is a local charity funded by West Sussex County Council to work with and for family and friend carers. He lives in Kemp Town with my wife, have two grown up children, two grandchildren and am a keen animator, cyclist and supporter of both Harlequins RFC and Brighton & Hove Albion.


Richard Bradford
Trustee
Richard Bradford moved to Brighton in 1990 as a teacher at Falmer School. He later went on to be a Deputy Head at Varndean School before moving to Hong Kong as the Vice Principal of a large international school. In 2011 he returned to Brighton as Headteacher at Dorothy Stringer School. For several years, he was chair of the Brighton and Hove Secondary Headteachers group. He retired in 2019 but has continued to be involved in several education projects, including supporting the work of the Russell Martin Foundation Extra Time Project.
Strategic Team


Dr. Alan Sanders
Chief Executive - Executive & Senior Management Team


Gary Mansell
Director of Football- Executive & Senior Management Team


Jane Coleman
Director of Programmes- Designated Safeguarding lead- Executive and Senior Team
Management Team


Dale Hurley
Head of RMA - Senior Management Team


Donna Cox
General Manager & Welfare Officer - Senior Management Team


Sara Hughes
Head of Teaching & Learning Senior Management Team


Jay Lovett
Head of Post-16 Football - Senior Management Team


Charlie Oatway
Relationships Manager- Senior Management Team


Guy Kingham
Head of Compliance

Rob Silver
Head of Finance
Coaching Team

Finley Jenkins
GK Lead Coach

Rob Deda
Coach

Izzy Glass Oliver
Girls Lead Coach

Glenn Franks
Holiday Co-ordinator

Llyod Francis
Coach


Jacob Baitup
7-11 Football Co-ordinator


Callum Kealy
Post-16 Football Co-ordinator

Connor Cox
Football Coach


Jess Barnes
Head of Disability

Lewis Mayer
Facility Operator
Education Team

Danny Cullip
Teaching Assistant


Tom Halls
Centre Manager - Worthing


Aithne Missirian
Lead Centre Manager - Brighton


Kim Hammond
Centre Manager - Crawley & DDSL


Tyler Russell
Teacher Assistant - Worthing


Matt Drabble
Assistant Head Teaching & Learning

Carl Southwell
Adult Education Co-ordinator


Carlo Missirian
Qualified Teacher


Ismail Jafar
Teaching Assistant


Kelly Frater
KS2 Transition Co-ordinator


Tyrone Madhani
Teaching Assistant


Julia Sanders
Teaching Assistant


Rachelle Martin
Teaching Assistant
Central Services


Chris Whelpdale
Head of Marketing & Comms


Paul Rogers
Commercial Manager

Joel Essex
Media & Comms

Marilena Ward
Admin, Trustees & Bid Support


Gerry Coleman
Project Manager

Heidi Rush
HR Manager

Debra Wells
Finance Assistant
Ambassadors


Chris Ward


Sarah Samagh


Steve Purser


Matt Turner
