Wooden Spoon appoints Ali Gilbert as its first female Chair and Brett Bader as Vice Chair of Trustees
Wooden Spoon, the children’s charity of rugby, is proud to announce the appointment of Ali Gilbert as its new Chair of Trustees and Dr Brett Bader as Vice Chair of Trustees. These appointments mark an exciting new chapter for the charity as it continues to grow its impact supporting children and young people across the UK and Ireland, giving them the chance to play, learn, thrive and be safe.
At a time when women’s rugby is experiencing unprecedented growth, Wooden Spoon is particularly delighted to welcome its first female Chair. Ali will work closely alongside CEO Sarah Webb, bringing a wealth of leadership experience and a deep personal commitment to improving the lives of children and families.
Ali succeeds Quentin Smith, who steps down after almost 9 years as Chair. During his tenure, Quentin spearheaded an ambitious five-year strategy that has placed the charity firmly on a trajectory of sustainable growth, while strengthening governance to a standard that is both rigorous and resilient. We are delighted that Quentin will remain on our board of trustees.
Reflecting on his time in the role, Quentin said:
“As I prepare to step down, I’m proud of what we have achieved as an organisation. I have absolute confidence in the future of the charity and I am delighted to pass the baton to Ali Gilbert, whose leadership, I have no doubt, will prove both formidable and inspiring as she guides the organisation into its next chapter.”
Ali, brings extensive experience from the health and care sector, having served as a board executive for over a decade, with responsibility for children and young people’s services. A qualified pharmacist who began her career in the NHS, she has gone on to lead major transformation programmes focused on improving integrated, person-centred care.
Her passion for rugby began in 1972 when, as a schoolgirl in Llanelli, she watched her local team famously defeat the All Blacks at Stradey Park – an experience that sparked a lifelong love of the sport.
Speaking about her appointment, Ali said:
“Every meaningful initiative begins with a simple idea – this charity was founded on exactly that belief and it is a privilege to be taking the Chair’s baton from Quentin to continue making a tangible difference in the lives of the children and families who need it most.
Our mission is clear: to give children with disabilities or facing disadvantage the chance to play, learn, thrive and be safe. We are committed to doing so with integrity, transparency, and a deep sense of responsibility.
As incoming Chair, I am incredibly proud of the leadership, dedication and vision that has brought us to this point. What stands out most is not just the ambition of our goals, but the passion of the people behind them – our regions, trustees, volunteers, partners, and staff. With continued collaboration and belief, I am confident we can turn intention into impact for children and young people.”
Joining Ali in leadership is Dr Brett Bader, who takes on the new role of Vice Chair. Brett currently serves as Chair of Wooden Spoon Dorset, Hampshire and Wiltshire, as well as a trustee and member of the Projects Committee.
With a diverse background spanning education, healthcare and the military, Brett has held senior leadership roles in schools, worked as a medical educator, and served as a senior officer in the Army Reserves. He is also an entrepreneur, having founded and managed three businesses across educational training, expedition training, and sports coaching.
Brett said:
“I’m absolutely delighted to be stepping into the role of Vice Chair at such an exciting time for Wooden Spoon. The passion and commitment across the charity is truly inspiring, and I’m looking forward to working alongside an incredible group of people who are all driven by the same purpose -to make a real and lasting difference to children and young people.
There’s so much momentum behind the work we do, and I’m excited to build on that, bringing fresh ideas, energy and collaboration to help grow our impact even further. It’s a privilege to be part of a charity that changes lives in such a meaningful way.”
Together, Ali and Brett bring a powerful combination of strategic leadership, operational expertise and a shared passion for rugby and community. Their appointments reinforce Wooden Spoon’s commitment to evolving its leadership and continuing its mission to positively transform the lives of children and young people through the power of rugby.
Sarah Webb, CEO of Wooden Spoon said
“I am thrilled to be working alongside Ali as our new Chair of Trustees. Her appointment as our first female Chair is a hugely significant moment for Wooden Spoon. Having already served on the Board, Ali brings strong leadership and a deep commitment to our mission. I’m also pleased to see Brett step into the role of Vice Chair, and I look forward to working closely with them both as we build on our impact for children and young people. My thanks also go to Quentin for his outstanding leadership over the past 9 years.”