Leigh Fitchie-Andrews
Folkestone,Kent
Summary
Accomplished Senior Level professional & Director of Sport, with extensive expertise in people development, workflow optimisation, and operational planning. Proven track record in strategic decision making and customer retention strategies, enhancing productivity through continuous process improvement (CPI). Adept at managing multi-site operations and high-pressure environments, with a strong focus on resource planning and allocation. Skilled in advertising & marketing, public relations, and programme development. Demonstrates exceptional leadership in team building and conflict management while implementing effective policies and procedures. Career goal: to leverage comprehensive skills in a dynamic role that drives organisational success.
Overview
12
12
years of professional experience
Work History
Director of Junior&Youth Rugby
Folkestone Rugby Club
FOLKESTONE, Kent
09.2023 - Current
- Coach & Mentor all age groups across junior sections U5-U18, through to Seniors & Ladies.
- School Liaison and coach in local primary & secondary schools.
- Implemented club policies and legal guidelines.
- Designed business strategies to obtain short and long-term goals for club.
- Initiated and oversee innovative marketing campaigns, enhancing brand visibility.
- Coaching Coordinator.
- Coaching Mentor.
- Player Pathways.
- Academy Programme.
- Establish playing culture/identity of club.
- Responsible for effective delivery of player pathway of club as key part of delivering One Club Strategy. To ensure that all aspects of rugby policy and processes of Club are implemented through coherent management approach, in way that is compliant with club constitution, RFU laws, core values and regulations and that coaching system is effective.
- To develop and implement coordinated coaching programme that reflects the Club’s ‘agreed playing philosophy’ throughout all sections of Club
- Be aware of all rugby administrative procedures regarding player registration, eligibility and match day reporting through GMS
- To direct recruitment, retention and development of players, coaches, support teams and volunteers across player pathway
- To establish long-term retention, development and transition programme from U5 to senior rugby.
- To co-ordinate the rugby academy programme.
- To establish the Club’s outreach programme within the local community, schools and colleges.
- To ensure that the ‘rugby experience’ across all age grades is compliant with RFU laws, regulations, and the club culture.
- To develop the Club’s playing facilities, equipment and materials to meet the needs of the players.
Head of Operations
Netanagent.com
Folkestone, Kent
12.2012 - Current
- Assisting upper management/directors/stake holders to create goals focused on lowering costs leading to increased task completion and profits.
- Increased productivity by mentoring and motivating team members, resulting in meeting and surpassing department & IPR targets.
- Oversaw integration of HR solutions to achieve increased staff communications.
- Work with MD & CTO (Founders) to formulate new business strategies.
- Monitored and reviewed operational performance, aiding improved business strategy to maximise productivity.
- Interfaced with clients to determine marketing and design vision, defining strategic scopes of work and delivery schedules.
- Supported company growth by working constructively with sales team members, generating new business opportunities.
- Examined problem-solving strategies, highlighting development opportunities to improve organisational operations.
- Serve as key corporate representative, liaising with various stakeholders and key customers.
- Championed brand leadership position by working with detailed awareness of competitor activity.
- Conducting regular individual employee performance review, mentoring and coaching.
Head Rugby Coach (Ex Wasps player)
FRFC
Folkestone, Kent
07.2014 - 07.2017
- Planned, monitored and supervised high-quality coaching activities, tailored to individuals aged 6-50.
- Worked with Shepway Sports Trust to increase participation.
- On committee for Finance, Ground Maintenance, Health and Safety for all non and playing members.
- Maintained a safe environment, conducting inspections on PE equipment, promptly reporting defects to management to ensure immediate rectification.
- Trained young adults in techniques using various drills and coaching methods.
- Tailored training programmes to meet individual needs, balancing constructive criticism with motivational praise.
- Facilitated group training sessions, grouping players by ability to suitably challenge development.
- Delivered one-to-one training sessions to work on specific skills.
- Consistently applied effective, innovative coaching methods to meet and exceed team needs.
- Coached young individuals to refine specific techniques and enhance confidence.
- Created B2B & B2C sponsorship.
- Logistics, kit design with implementation.
Education
Director of Rugby - Sports, Leadership, Management, Development
RFU
Bisham, Windsor and Maidenhead 02.2025 -
Diploma of Higher Education - Operations Management
New Skills Academy
UK10.2019
Certificate of Higher Education - Master of Planning Certificate
New Skills Academy
UK10.2019
Certificate of Higher Education - GDPR
New Skills Academy
UK09.2019
Certificate of Higher Education - Learning Strategies
New Skills Academy
UK09.2019
GCSEs - 11 GCSE's
Kings Canterbury
Canterbury, Kent06.1995
Skills
- People Development
- Workflow optimisation
- Operational planning
- Strategic decision making
- Customer retention strategies
- Shift and rota management
- Continuous Process Improvement (CPI)
- Advertising & Marketing
- Relationship building
- Communication improvements
- Contract management
- Policies and procedures implementation
- Personable
- Conflict management
- Solutions development
- Multi-site operations
- High-pressure environments
- Productivity improvement specialist
- Resource planning and allocation
- Public Relations
- Programme Development
- Team Building
- Leadership
Hobbies
- +2 golf handicapper (ex assistant golf pro), multi club membership
- Lead Coach
- Watching live sports/rugby Wasps, Quins, England
- NFL - 49ers
- Cycling
- Walking / Attend and take part in charity events(Pilgrims Hospice)
- Personal Fitness
- Cinema, theatre
Timeline
Director of Rugby - Sports, Leadership, Management, Development
RFU
02.2025 -
Director of Junior&Youth Rugby
Folkestone Rugby Club
09.2023 - Current
Head Rugby Coach (Ex Wasps player)
FRFC
07.2014 - 07.2017
Head of Operations
Netanagent.com
12.2012 - Current
Diploma of Higher Education - Operations Management
New Skills Academy
Certificate of Higher Education - Master of Planning Certificate
New Skills Academy
Certificate of Higher Education - GDPR
New Skills Academy
Certificate of Higher Education - Learning Strategies
New Skills Academy
GCSEs - 11 GCSE's
Kings Canterbury
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