Tim is Chief Executive and one of the founders of Substance and was formerly Professor of the Sociology of Sport and Popular Culture at Sheffield Hallam University. He has over twenty five years’ experience of leading multi-disciplinary research teams investigating the impact of sport-based social policy initiatives. As well as representing the company more widely Tim currently leads Substance’s work with UEFA to assess the social and economic value of grassroots football participation across Europe and the evaluation of GM Moving, a whole systems approach to tackling inactivity in Greater Manchester.
He previously lead research and evaluation projects focused on the use of sport and physical activity as a social policy tool for the Home Office; chaired the consortium leading the DfE Information and Signposting Project to promote youth activities; led the research and development of Sportworks for Sported; and is a board member of the Inspiring Impact programme. With a succession of publications to his name, Tim is widely regarded as one of the leading authorities in relation to the research, development and analysis of sport and activity based policy initiatives.
“I helped set up and continue to work for Substance in order that the organisations we work with can understand and make more of a difference. I also get to work with a committed, interesting team of people with an incredibly varied set of skills and passions. At the weekend I am generally to be found riding the roller coaster that is Crystal Palace Football Club.”