Steve Cram, MBE is one of the world's most successful middle distance athletes. Since he emerged aged 17 at the 1978 Commonwealth Games and went on to win six Gold Medals at Commonwealth, European and World Championships and an Olympic Silver Medal. In 1985 he broke World Records at 1500m, 2000m, and Mile within 19 days. The latter record lasted almost 9 years.

Steve's energy is now channelled towards improving sport in the UK. His work with the EIS strengthens his links with organisations such as UK Athletics and the Youth Sport Trust. He is actively involved with a number of charities including Macmilllan Cancer Relief and his own charity, Comrades Of Children Overseas (COCO.org.uk).

Steve, who was born in Gateshead in 1960, began his broadcasting career in 1995 and is currently a BBC television and radio athletics commentator and presenter.

A former Irish Rugby Union international, Conor joined the EIS in June 2008 from the Rugby Football Union (RFU), where he had been Director of Regional Academies for 3 years.

After starting his playing career in his native Ireland with Terenure College, O’Shea had a spell with Leinster before joining London Irish in 1995. In addition to representing his country at the 1995 and 1999 Rugby World Cups, O’Shea made 127 appearances for The Exiles and was awarded the Zurich Players’ Player of the Year Award in 1999 before an ankle injury prematurely brought an end to his playing career at the age of just 30.

However he remained at London Irish taking on the role of Director of Rugby and enjoyed immediate success with the Irish lifting the Powergen Cup in 2002, an achievement which earned O’Shea the Zurich Rugby Director of the Year Award (joint with Brendan Venter).

He would later take up the role of Managing Director at the club before joining the RFU in 2005. He is also a well respected Rugby analyst for RTÉ television in Ireland.

Helen qualified as a Chartered Accountant with KPMG in 1995, working as a consultant for several years specialising in sport and leisure projects including the submissions for various 2002 Commonwealth Games facilities (including Sportcity), the redevelopment of Headingley Stadium and the National Shooting Centre at Bisley.

She also enjoyed two twelve month secondments whilst working at KPMG, one to Manchester’s 2000 Olympic bid team and one to help set up the Organising Committee for the 2002 Commonwealth Games, both as Financial Controller.

After leaving KPMG Helen spent three years in industry as Finance Controller of four of the European subsidiaries of a large US company, before joining the EIS in March 2002 to set up the finance and HR departments.

She is now responsible for finance, HR, legal, corporate governance and risk management, as well as being a member of the board of directors - all in three days a week!

Hester qualified with a BSc in Sports Science in 1991 before spending two years in teaching and sports science research.

She then moved into sponsorship and worked for BT on a number of world class events including the Whitbread Round the World Yacht Race, BT Global Challenge and Rugby World Cup. 

After a number of years working as a freelance consultant she joined the EIS, working two days per week before going full time in early 2007. Supported by two team members, she is now responsible for all marketing and communications activity within the EIS including internal and external communications, product partnerships, media relations, collateral development and website development.

Graham’s first career was as a Commissioned Officer in the Royal Air Force Personnel Branch.  During this time he served in a variety of locations both in the UK and overseas including the Gulf area.  After leaving the RAF, Graham joined the National Crime Squad as Northern Area HR Manager responsible for around 550 personnel made up of civilians and police detectives.  After 6 years in the public sector, Graham moved to the commercial world and spent 5 years with Hitachi High Technologies as their HR Manager prior to moving back into the public arena with the English Institute of Sport in January 2007. 

Graham is responsible for all aspects of operational human resources including recruitment and selection, employee relations, compensation and benefits and employment law matters.  Graham is part of the EIS HR team which also consists of Caroline Knowles, HR Officer and Emma Murphy, the departments HR Administrator.

Mark graduated with a degree in Classics, and moved into computer software development and IT consultancy. After nine years managing the IT Department of an NHS Trust he joined the EIS in February 2002 to set up and manage the IT Infrastructure and core systems. Since November 2005 he has also been part time Head of ICT at UK Sport, and spends his time equally between the two organisations.

He rowed competitively for over 20 years, and despite the lack of mountains near his home in Oxfordshire, he has recently taken up fell running and ultra marathons. His son has recently taken up rowing, and through his daughter’s sport, he has qualified as a Gymnastics coach.