Our Team

Sean has 25 years experience as a business leader in financial services, financial technology, workplace education (preparing young people for work) and education travel sector for young people (residential summer schools).  A builder of diverse multi-cultural companies with happy, motivated and productive teams.

Sean is a qualified Leadership and Executive Business Coaching Practitioner and delivered personal development programmes to school leavers to help them in their transition to the workplace. Sean remains a committed and competitive rugby player who exemplifies the phrase “never too old to learn new skills” and is an excellent role model to younger teammates both on and off the pitch. Sean holds dear the true meaning of ‘community’.

 Dan is a fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales. He has many years’ experience advising a wide range of individual and corporate clients, including a number of charities, on all aspects of accountancy including auditing, company tax, personal tax and account preparation. He has played rugby since he was 12 for several different clubs in Cornwall, Devon and Sussex. Having played at East Grinstead rugby club since 2005, Dan acted as club treasurer for four years and is currently coach for one of the junior teams.

Archie is a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales and a Trainee Solicitor. He has experience advising large financial services and corporate energy clients on a number of tax, accounting and legal issues. 

Archie has played rugby for 14 years, and having moved around the country has played for a variety of teams in Lincolnshire, Yorkshire, Norfolk, Essex, London and Nottingham. He joined East Grinstead Rugby Football Club in 2019 after moving to the area and became a member of the club’s Leadership Team in 2020. 

James has over 20 years experience in private client investment management, most recently as a founding partner and investment director of Vermeer Partners.

His previous charitable trustee roles include helping establish The AGS Foundation, The Wasps Legends Charitable Foundation and sitting on the RFU’s fundraising board. James also took active roles on the testimonial committees of Chris Robshaw and Andy Goode. 

In 2015, he raised £96,000 when setting a Guinness World Record by trekking to the Magnetic North Pole with Wooden Spoon to play the most northerly rugby match in history. He has extensive contacts within the rugby and business community and will support MRRF in fundraising initiatives.

Antony has over 20 years experience in broadcasting and more than 35 as a volunteer with various organisations, many involving young people and supporting those in need. 

Away from his work as a journalist, Antony has significant experience in the areas of charity governance and as a grant giver following 6 years as a volunteer with the National Lottery Community fund.

Dad to East Grinstead "flyer" Henry, Antony helped set up the Supporters Trust at Crawley Town Football Club and was involved as an external trustee in his former University Students Union, an organisation he also served when he was studying.

Committed to community projects and sport Antony brings his wealth of media knowledge to the foundation.

In his spare time, you'll discover he's an enthusiastic long distance runner (more Slo-Mo than Sir Mo) a passionate Crawley Town season ticket holder, an occasional visitor to White Hart Lane and a really really poor golfer.

Ryan has 15 years experience coaching and delivering rugby sessions for all ages and abilities. Working closely with schools, colleges, universities and local rugby club. Ryan also carries 9 years experience with management of many global accounts and management of a small team.

Ryan was very close with Matt from both a personal and coaching perspective, Ryan is currently the assistant head coach at East Grinstead RFC and is passionate about making Matt’s dream a reality.

Garry has over 30 years of experience in Retail and Procurement having been Group Sourcing Director for Primark and M&S. More recently European CEO for Li and Fung Europe he is now Board advisor and Consultant to a number of companies. For many years he has been involved in charity fundraising through rugby, heading up the Sunshine Sevens Tournament which has raised almost £300k for Disadvantage children since it started. Believing there is fun in fundraising, he looks forward to introducing his contacts to the Matt Ratana Rugby Foundation.

Lauren is an experienced communications and marketing professional, with 15 years in the financial services industry. She has a background in press and media relations, TV broadcast and production, marketing, events and internal communications. 

Lauren has watched from the side-lines, the impact rugby can have on shaping a life, as a supporter of her younger brother Max, who plays at Matt’s home club in East Grinstead and of her partner, who also plays locally.

A very patriotic New Zealander who believes passionately about giving back to her community, a value honed into all Kiwis from a young age. A daughter of a retired Policeman, with family still in the service, she has the upmost respect for the challenges they face on a daily basis.

Joanne has spent the last 24 years living in the United Kingdom serving the wider community through various Charities and Sporting Clubs. Previous positions held include Chairman of a branch of the National Childbirth Trust and School Governor.

During her time at East Grinstead Rugby Club, she qualified as an England RFU L2 Coach, managing and coaching her Son’s team, and role of Junior Chairman managing the Youth sides. Joanne continues to help with fundraising efforts for the Sunshine 7’s. These efforts were recognised by the Club with the award of Honorary Vice President. 

Joanne works in Private Office as an Executive Assistant/PA for ultra-high net worth individuals.

Darren has been a police officer for over 20 years, all with the Met Police where he is a Chief Inspector. He has worked in many frontline roles across the capital and at New Scotland Yard, leading large teams delivering emergency response, and neighbourhood policing as well as in community and partnership roles. For several years he has worked in the Met’s custody command where he got to know Matt Ratana as a colleague and a friend with a shared a love of rugby.

Darren has played competitive rugby for longer than he cares to remember and has played for many years at the Vigo Rugby Football Club in Kent. He is also a youth coach at Maidstone Rugby Club. At both he attempts to pass on his love of the game (which is huge), and also his knowledge (which is sadly less so!).

A school leaver at 16, Connor became the director of his self-built civil engineering plant hire company. He is committed to innovative and adoption of new technologies that improve efficiency, reduce cost and the environmental impact of large-scale works.

Connor was a close friend of Matt’s; not only because he was coached by Matt from the age of 23 but they also shared so many of the same values. Connor supported Matt's rugby initiatives and projects with relentless enthusiasm. He will now continue to do the same for Matt’s legacy.

Ellen has been teaching for 16 years and has been pastoral leader in schools for much of that time. She has worked in very diverse catchment areas in Oxfordshire and now Sussex, with a huge range of safeguarding and welfare needs.

She is a designated safeguarding lead in her current school and is used to working closely with a wide range of external agencies to ensure the absolute best outcomes for children and their families.  Ellen is the Club Safeguarding Officer at East Grinstead Rugby Club and has been a coach for her sons team at both East Grinstead and previously Gosford All Blacks in Kidlington, Oxfordshire.

She is passionate about rugby and the hugely positive role it can play in all children’s and young people’s lives, giving them self-confidence, developing their physical skills, team skills, self-discipline and above all giving them a family for life in the rugby community.

Max has built his career around a talent for engaging with people. A well respected recruitment professional, Max specialises in Digital, Marketing and Fundraising.

A keen and accomplished rugby player, he is highly regarded by his teammates on and off the pitch. Max is Social Secretary at East Grinstead Rugby Club. 

He is a strong believer in the personal and social development that rugby can bring - especially for younger people.  

Max and Matt were close friends. He takes seriously his role as a guardian of Matt’s legacy and has been instrumental in the formation of The Matt Ratana Foundation.