South East Regional Council
Council Members
- James de Vivenot (Chair)
- Stuart Horsewood
- Kay Reynolds
- Sue Slade
- Julien Lawton
Co-optees
- Paul Wood
You can get in touch via southeastchair@englandathletics.org
James de Vivenot
James came back to athletics in 2014, having been a sprinter at school, starting with a couch-to-5k programme in January 2014 with Ealing Eagles, before going on to complete the Ealing Half Marathon in September 2014 and the London Marathon in 2015. He has completed numerous other races, including the Berlin and Tokyo marathons, and has represented his club in numerous races including cross country leagues, Welsh Castles Relay and Green Belt Relay.
James started his coaching journey with the Leadership in Running Fitness course in 2014, before going on to qualify as a Coaching Assistant in 2016, Athletics Coach in 2017 and finally Endurance Event Group coach in 2018. James’s daughter is a keen athlete and he has done most of his coaching with young athletes to help support her journey. He helped to set up the Junior section of Ealing Eagles in 2015, before moving with his daughter to the youth endurance group at Ealing Southall & Middlesex AC in 2018. When his daughter moved to the multi event group at Windsor Slough Eton & Hounslow AC in 2020, James also moved and he currently delivers endurance sessions to the group. James has also recently developed an interest in Masters Athletics, particularly sprints and competed for Ealing Eagles in their debut season in the Southern Counties Veterans AC track and field league in 2021.
Stuart Horsewood
Stuart is Secretary of Hampshire Athletics, and Hampshire Track & Field Championships, having spent over four decades in Finance across 21 countries. He is also the South East Regional Coordinator for the Youth Development League (YDL) and Southern Regional approver for all Competition Licence Applications. He has extensive experience as an international marathon Race Director and organiser of athletics and cross-country competitions.
He is an active qualified timekeeper. Stuart has worked with local authorities, sports and educational institutions to promote the positive impact of sports. He has coached community athletics and football, while sharing running experiences. Stuart has run marathons and beyond on all seven continents, achieving the Grand Slam at the North Pole, raising six-figure sponsorships and donations.ement Committee.
Kay Reynolds
Kay became an athlete at 10 years old and competed in school, county and national events up to national senior trails events as well as a master athlete, predominantly as a hurdler.
She has been an administrator of the sport for many years and is currently Chair of her Club. She is a coach (previously on the national coach development programme-NCDP), an official (level 4P field and level 2 timekeeper) and is passionate about the continual development of the sport.
Sue Slade
Like many people, Sue first got into athletics coaching and officiating through her children. They all enjoyed a cross country race organised by the local secondary school, and then asked to join Chiltern Harriers. Before long, assisting the coaches to run sessions triggered her to complete an assistant coach qualification. This was followed several years later by a Level 1 track judge qualification and then the Coach qualification. She has recently progressed to level 3 track judge.
Despite her dad being a keen cross-country runner throughout her childhood, she did not run as a child. Now, she enjoys running, and does the odd parkrun and 10k, but runs mostly to be fit enough to enable her to watch her (now grown up) children at more than one place on the course in cross country races!
Julien Lawton
Julien's interest in athletics is through his three children, who have all represented their schools and county in their chosen sport. Their switch to athletics in the summer prompted him to volunteer at their club, and he is now the Chair of Thanet Athletics Club in Ramsgate, Kent. He has helped the club strengthen its links with the local community through relationship building and partnerships.
Keen to add value at the strategic level, Julien was nominated to the regional council in February 2025.
"I'm passionate about giving all ages the opportunity to experience the joy of athletics, boosting confidence and wellbeing. All abilities should have equal access to good facilities and coaches. I'm looking forward to seeing how I can best support clubs and the army of volunteers without which none of this could be achieved."
Michelle O'Brien
Michelle is a UKA Licensed Coaching Assistant at Epsom & Ewell Harriers, delivering coaching sessions in running, jumping, agility, and throwing. She also serves as Team Manager for the Club’s U11s, supporting athlete development and managing junior participation in Sportshall, QuadKids, and the Downs League Cross Country.
She is a strong advocate for youth athletics, with a particular focus on inclusion, ensuring that young athletes of all abilities are encouraged and supported to take part, develop skills, build confidence, and enjoy the sport.
Michelle brings over 15 years’ experience operating at board and committee level, in company secretarial and governance advisory roles across corporate, charity, and sporting organisations, including as a former Club Secretary. She is a longstanding member of the Chartered Governance Institute (CGI) and the Women’s Corporate Governance Association (WCGA) and is currently working towards Chartership.
With a practical, collaborative approach, Michelle combines strong technical governance expertise with a perspective that bridges strategic decision-making and the day-to-day realities of athletes, coaches, volunteers, and clubs. In recognition of her contribution to sports governance, she was awarded a bursary to complete CGI’s Sports Governance Certificate, which she is currently undertaking.
A keen runner, she completed the London Marathon in 2012 and continues to run socially with her club. This year she is entered in four half marathons, aiming to complete the SuperHalfs Series.