Your Board Members

Emily holds a first class BSc Sport and Exercise Science degree in addition to many years of taekwondo experience. At 20 Emily gained an NCAA Division 1 university athlete scholarship in the USA for three years. An accredited Strength and Conditioning coach, Emily works within the university sport sector as an S&C coach at the University of Leeds, and as an occasional GB Taekwondo Development Squad S&C coach at the National Taekwondo Centre in Manchester. Emily brings her extensive university sport and exercise science expertise to the board.

Jonathan has over 25 years of taekwondo training and coaching experience across Kukkiwon and Chang-hon syllabuses, is an active patterns umpire, and is head coach of the University of Edinburgh Taekwondo club. A former university lecturer, Jonathan has a deep understanding of the pressures and opportunities presented to students as they progress through their university education. Since leaving academia, Jonathan became a personal trainer, and brings his many pertinent specialisms to the board.

Steve has over 20 years of taekwondo experience as an athlete, coach, and former President of King's College London Taekwondo, and is an active referee, supporting events in the UK and Switzerland in particular. Having completed his doctoral studies in physics, Steve's has extensive experience in many facets of university taekwondo, including the organisation inter-university events and providing pastoral support to athletes. Outside of academia, Steve works as an adaptable film stunt performer, and brings these diverse skills to the board.

Ushma brings a wealth of experience from the education sector and taekwondo to the board. Ushma is a referee with extensive experience. A former university athlete, Ushma has subsequently supported the British Student Taekwondo Federation (BSTF) in senior umpiring roles for well over a decade. By profession, Ushma works as an education sector assessor, upholding quality assurance frameworks both in both her day job and in her role as BSTF's Referee Manager, supporting the delivery of BSTF's Trainee Umpire training program.

Jason took up taekwondo at the age of 12, intrigued by its explosive jumping kicks and wood smashing demonstrations. He continued training throughout his university years as an undergraduate, and continued during his PhD in maths and post doctoral research roles (including competing in a few BSTF events, many moons ago!). Jason has worked in the nuclear energy research sector, and subsequently launched and grew his own highly successful education company. Jason brings to the board his substantial business expertise, education sector expertise - including government ministerial and cabinet level networks - and a passion for sport and education.