Anthony Kendall

Anthony started his career with a focus on community service. After leaving LSE in 1970, his first undertaking was the set up and management of a community centre, coffee bar and bookshop in Hackney. He then took on the role of head of Community Development at the Chief Executive’s office in Hammersmith and Fulham Council, where he helped to oversee and lead several local initiatives aimed at supporting those in the borough.

Anthony then worked as a Hackney Councillor for 12 years, including as Leader of the Council. During this time Anthony help to transform Hackney’s  equality policies particularly on race. The council became more responsive and made housing a major priority.

He also gained extensive experience of the voluntary and community sector in his 12-year role as Chair of the Newton Housing Trust.

In addition to his work in community and local government, Anthony has extensive experience in sports management and administration. He served on the board of the London Youth Games for 30 years, including several years as Chair.

He has been a member of several funding organisations, including over 20 years at Comic Relief as founding Chair of the Sport Relief grants committee, and over 10 years as a member of Capital Radio’s Help a Capital Child grants panel.

For the last 6 years, Anthony has been Chairman of the Luol Deng Foundation, which promotes Basketball for young people mainly based in London.

Anthony is the Chair of the Swimathon Foundation, which organises annual national Swimathon, Open Water Swimathon, School Swimathon and Marathon Swims events. These events involve over 30,000 swimmers and raises about £3 million each year for charity.

In recognition of his work, he was awarded an OBE in the 2015 Queen’s Birthday Honours List for services to youth sport and his work at the London Youth Games.

Anthony is currently a Director of Social Action Radio Ltd (SAR), which focuses on co-ordinating social information campaigns on radio, as well as being consulting stations on issues like licence applications and development plans.

Anthony is a passionate Arsenal supporter, swims, and regularly plays tennis.