Phoenix Canoe Club Limited is a company limited by guarantee incorporating a charity and is run by its Trustees / Company Directors. You can get your views and suggestions represented at committee meetings by contacting one of the committee members. The Trustees / Company Directors are responsible for all financial, organisational and operational matters of the Club and Centre.

Trustee Board

Andrew Moore – Chairperson / Business

Andrew is a Chartered Quantity Surveyor working as a Senior Director with Currie & Brown, a global professional service company in the Construction industry.

He lives in NW London and was introduced to Phoenix through his children attending Camp Phoenix, and says “I liked the people and the club, so joined myself”.

Andrew was invited to be a Trustee / Director and became Chair of the Trustees in May 2015. He also sits on the New Building Steering Group helping to redevelop the current headquarters into a modern, purpose-built Centre, fit for the future.

He enjoys outdoor activities like walking, water sports and skiing in the winter, and also enjoys the cultural activities available in London from museums, galleries, cinema and theatre.

Megan Chidlow – Finance

Following a Classics degree at Bristol University, Megan trained as a Chartered Accountant and qualified in 2001. Moving into the charity sector in 2005, she currently works at The English Folk Song and Dance Society as Finance Director and Crafts Council as Finance Manager.

Megan volunteered to become the Treasurer and became a Trustee / Director of Phoenix Canoe Club Limited in August 2020.

Her son spent several years attending Camp Phoenix in the school holidays and learning to sail and kayak. She comments “We really valued the fun and expertise with which these sessions were run, and the dedication of the whole team at Phoenix”.  She also did some kayaking courses and trips with the club.

Megan enjoys paddleboarding, gardening, swimming and going to gigs.

Dittany Bak Olesen – Community / Events

Dittany is Playcentre Manager at Hampstead Community Centre, running After School Club and School Holiday activities for children aged 4-12.

Dittany became a Trustee / Director in June 2013 and looks after the social events.

She is a member of Phoenix Canoe Club and enjoys kayaking and got involved because both her daughter and son are keen kayakers and were members of Phoenix before moving away from home. She also brings groups from her playscheme in the summer holidays for kayaking and Bell Boating

Dittany enjoys walking, swimming and travelling.

Mandy Gordon – Coaching / Policies

Mandy is a Product Manager/Business Analyst, most recently at the Financial Times

Mandy became a Trustee / Director in February 2017 and looks after Coaching and the coaches’ perspective, reviewing policies, trip organisation and support and was involved in the GDPR review, social media policy writing and oversaw the website rebuild.

She started as a beginner participant on a Level 1 course, progressed as a paddler and club member, then became a coach and then a trustee.

In addition to paddling, Mandy enjoys hiking, ballet, travelling and supporting DofE expeditions for a local school. Most recently she is working on becoming a designer/maker in printmaking and silversmithing!

Fran Edwards – Education

Fran works as the PSCHEE AND BTEC Lead at Saracens High School and is involved with the schools’ Duke of Edinburgh training.

Fran became a Trustee / Director in December 2019 and specialises in hard-to-reach pupil engagement, advises on current teaching practices and helps plan the Centre’s Duke of Edinburgh training provision.

She has brought many school groups to Phoenix Outdoor Centre over the past 15 years from Alperton High School and Saracens High School for kayaking, raft building, forest skills and DoE training.

Fran enjoys refereeing basketball, Italian cookery and travel.

Darren Lawrence – Fundraising

Darren has spent over 20 years working in financial services specializing in valuations risk & control, regulatory reform and sustainable finance.  His career includes time spent at banks, global exchanges and market data vendors.

Darren became a Trustee / Director in March 2026 after looking for a role in the local community through Barnet Volunteering. He has taken on the role of Fundraising Manager.

Outside of work, he has a passion for playing sports, cooking and the outdoors.

Senior Leadership Team

Phil Atkinson – Centre Development Director

Phil started his career in architectural design and had 20 years’ experience running his own business specialising in healthcare buildings. He changed career when running the Club & Centre alongside his business.

Phil was Chairman of the Trustees from 2012 – 2015 but retired from the role when he took full-time employment as Centre Development Director. Phil is also a member of the New Building Steering Group looking after the day-to-day dealings with the design team, contractors and specialists. He is also Club Lead for the Canoe Club and is a BCU Kayak Level 3 White Water Coach.

Phil founded the Canoe Club with Mike Sparks and Ralph Lee in 2004 when the council operated Welsh Harp Youth Sailing Base was sadly shut-down to make way for the Hendon Waterside development. The Outdoor Centre was added in 2011.

Phil is married and has 4 children and 3 grandchildren. He enjoys whitewater kayaking and skiing.

Ethan Fraser – Centre Manager

Ethan grew up in North London and was a keen sailor as a child. Ethan worked with us in 2025 as a freelance coach and loved the positivity and professionalism of the centre.

He’s loving his first year in the role as Centre Manager, and is super excited to continue this into 2027. His role is to ensure the safe running of centre activities and managing the staff team.

Ethan is a keen cyclist, loves travelling and all things water sports. He is excited to work on his White Water paddling and join the club for future trips!

Other Officers of Phoenix Canoe Club:

• Phil Atkinson – Club Lead & Centre Development Director
• Christine Hayes – Welfare & Safeguarding Officer
• Patricia Davey – Membership Secretary & Membership Experience Officer
• Tim Rice – Club Secretary
• Mandy Gordon – Social Media Officer
• Norman Fong – Coaching Officer
• Ari Sherr – Safety & Events Officer

You can contact any of our Trustees or Officers by sending an email to info@phoenixcanoeclub.co.uk

Phoenix Canoe Club Limited is a registered charity no. 1148787 and a company limited by guarantee, registration no. 8002910.  Phoenix Canoe Club and Phoenix Outdoor Centre are trading names of Phoenix Canoe Club Limited.   Phoenix Canoe Club Limited is managed by the Board of Trustees and is responsible for the administration of the Articles of Association.