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Head of Service

Meet our heads of service

  • Julia Wells

    Head of Performance Analysis

    Julia joined the UK Sports Institute in 2004 as a Performance Analyst supporting the Canoe Slalom team over four Olympic cycles. 

    Following this she has been a UK Sports Institute Technical Lead and alongside led the Performance Analysis team for the Sport Wales Institute.

  • Michelle Pearson

    Head of Strength and Conditioning

    Michelle joined the UK Sports Institute in 2006 as a multisport Strength and Conditioning Coach in Loughborough.

    She subsequently completed the UK Sport Fast Track Practitioner Development Programme.

  • Esme Matthew

    Co-head of Physiology

    Esme joined the UK Sports Institute in September 2007 with a BSc from Northumbria University, and an MSc from Manchester Metropolitan University.

    Following this she has been a UKSI Technical Lead and alongside led the Performance Analysis team for the Sport Wales Institute.

  • Laura Needham

    Co-head of Physiology

    Laura joined the UK Sports Institute in 2013 coming from Sport Wales Institute. She was the Physiologist for GB boxing for the Rio Olympiad.

    Following that Laura was a technical lead for the north, and now splits her time between Co-Head of Physiology and as a Senior Physiologist for British Triathlon. She is also undertaking a professional doctorate at the University of Portsmouth.

  • Dr Tom Paulson

    Head of Paralympic Performance Support

    Tom joined the UK Sports Institute as a Senior Performance Pathway Scientist shortly after the Rio 2016 Paralympic games.

    He was responsible for the creation and delivery of the ‘Para Transitions Programme’ in collaboration with discipline experts from within the institute and the British Paralympic Association, before being appointed Head of Paralympic Performance Support in July 2017.

  • Michael Naylor

    Head of Performance Nutrition

    Michael joined the UK Sports Institute in 2007 as part of the UK Sport Practitioner Development Program working with Para Swimming.

    Michael joined the UK Sports Institute in 2007 as part of the UK Sport Practitioner Development Program working with Para Swimming.

  • Professor Paul Worsfold

    Head of Biomechanics

    Paul has worked as a consultant for the UK Sports Institute since 2009 and was appointed as Head of Biomechanics in 2014.

    He has delivered scientific support to professional and high performance athletes at both International competitions and the Olympic Games.

  • Joanna Harrison

    Head of Performance Lifestyle

    Jo joined the UK Sports Institute in July 2002 with an honours degree in Sports Studies from De Montfort University.

    Jo joined the UK Sports Institute in July 2002 with an honours degree in Sports Studies from De Montfort University.

  • Simon Spencer

    Head of Physiotherapy and Soft Tissue Therapy

    Simon qualified as a Chartered Physiotherapist from Southampton University in 1999 and completed an MSc in Sports Medicine and

    … Rehabilitation from Birmingham University in 2007.

  • Dr Danielle Adams Norenberg

    Head of Performance Psychology

    Danielle acquired HCPC registration in 2012, she joined the UK Sports Institute in 2014 following completion of a PhD from Brunel University and delivering multi-sport performance psychology at SportScotland.

    Prior to the Head of Service role, Danielle was a Technical Lead to the Psychology team and supported Canoe Slalom for the Tokyo Olympic Cycle.