New Independent Trustees for the Board of Croquet England

I am delighted to welcome three new Independent Trustees to the Board of Croquet England.  Independent trustees offer a fresh perspective from outside our sport, and bring additional expertise and experience.  I look forward to working with Glenda, Kishan and Matt.

Samir Patel, Chair of the Board of Trustees

Glenda Vencatachellum

I am a practising barrister, Accredited Mediator (CMC registered), MCIArb International commercial arbitration.

During my time at the Bar, my practice has spanned many areas including Crime, Civil, Family, Divorce, Children (public and private law), International family law, Human Rights and Commercial Law.  I also spent some years working for the Incorporated Council of Law Reporting, writing the Law reports, and the Times Law Reports.

Increasingly I have focused on dispute resolution, and I have been seeking to transfer my skills and experience to the area of Sports. I recently completed a Sports Disputes Resolution Training certification course. I hope that I am able to bring my experience from the Bar, particularly in Safeguarding, to this appointment.

When browsing through a list of potential appointments, on seeing Croquet, something simply resonated.

I was delighted to observe that the International Croquet Cup is held at the Sugar Beach Hotel in Mauritius. Both my parents were born in Mauritius, but came to England in the late 50’s and late 60’s.

I enjoyed visiting Purley Bury croquet club, meeting fellow trustees Carol Driver and Andrew Stewart, and getting to know Penny Hinton (Chair of Purley Bury), and members Val, Viviene, Donna and Trish, amongst others.

I hope to visit many more clubs around the country, and hear from, and speak with, as many of you as I can, in order to better serve your needs.

I look forward to being involved in shaping the future of Croquet England, and being part of its ongoing and future success, so that together we may bequeath the game to others for centuries to come.

Professor Kishan Devani BEM, FRSA

I am delighted to be appointed as a Trustee and bring my business background and love of sport to help grow the sport of croquet.

I am an Entrepreneur, Political Strategist, World-Renowned Educationalist and Global Education Expert/Academic/Strategist/Trainer, Speaker, and International PR, Communications, Media, Campaigns & Fundraising Consultant/Advisor. I have had a distinguished career highlighted by numerous prestigious recognitions and roles that underscore my significant contributions to various sectors. I was honoured with the British Empire Medal (BEM) by Her Majesty the Queen in the 2020 New Year’s Honour’s List, and I became a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts in 2015. Additionally, I was awarded the Freedom of the City of London, making me one of the youngest BaME Freemen of London.

I have held several advisory roles, and am currently Senior International Advisor to Westminster Group PLC (UK Listed Global Security Group). My political career includes serving as the youngest Deputy Chairman (Membership and Finance) of the London Conservative Party, Treasurers Envoy and Vice-President of the Liberal Democrats Campaign for Race Equality (LDCRE), and I currently serve as Fundraising Officer for the Uxbridge and South Ruislip Labour Party.

My consultancy work spans various sectors, including governance, finance, and education. I have been a vocal advocate for community cohesion and diversity within the British Asian community, volunteering extensively to motivate young Asians to engage in British civic life. My contributions to education and social integration have earned numerous accolades, including the Asian Achievers Award.

I am passionate about the power of sport, and I am a Shareholder of Sixes Social Cricket – the world’s first Cricket Focused Social Entertainment Venues. I am also Shareholder of Global Airlines, Senior International Advisor & Shareholder of Westminster Group PLC. In addition to this, I run my own successful consultancy firm and property company.

I really enjoyed my visit to Purley Bury Croquet Club and I am looking forward to learning more about this amazing game.

Matthew Macdonald

I am an academic at the University Campus of Football Business (UCFB), the first higher education institution in the world dedicated to university degrees in the football and sports industries. I teach across a number of specialist areas and I am Course Leader for the BA (Hons) Football Business degree.

I also support executive students on specialist postgraduate programmes, including the MSc Sports Directorship and the CEO of a Sports Organisation course, and I serve as an External Examiner at the University of Salford.

Alongside my academic career, I bring global consultancy experience supporting clubs, leagues, and executives across the sporting pyramid. I have delivered projects throughout Europe, Africa, and North America, covering strategy, sports operations, and commercial growth.

My industry highlights include consulting on a successful Premier League governance appeal by Everton FC, supporting a strategic review of UNAFUT and Liga Promerica in Costa Rica, and advising Mazatlán FC in Mexico on sporting operations. I have directly reported on multimillion-pound player transfers and managerial appointments while providing strategic recommendations to senior executives.

I am delighted to join Croquet England as a Trustee. I look forward to learning more about the game and contributing my knowledge and experience to support the continued growth and development of croquet.