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Chair welcomes new directors who bring extensive experience to support charity’s mission of improving lives across Renfrewshire

An Olympian and a university executive have joined the board overseeing OneRen, the local charity providing life-change cultural, leisure and sporting opportunities across Renfrewshire.

Kieron Achara

Former professional basketball player Kieron Achara and Elaine Robertson, who heads international student recruitment at the University of West of Scotland (UWS), are looking forward to starting work to help improve the region’s health and wellbeing.

The independent directors join at an exciting time for the charity as it supports communities with the continued recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic and as work progresses on major projects including the £42m transformation of Paisley Museum.

Kieron was a member of the Team GB basketball team at the London 2012 Olympic Games. He went on to a professional sporting career with teams in Scotland, Italy, Spain, Greece and Bulgaria.

Since retiring as a player, he has been deeply involved in developing the next generation of basketball players across Scotland and further afield.

lisa marie hughes

Former Glasgow Rocks star Kieron, who also captained Scotland at the 2018 Commonwealth Games, said: “When people reflect on my sporting success they tend to focus on my work ethic and willingness to succeed.

“The reality is without the correct infrastructure and support, it would have been hard to achieve anything.

“I am passionate about creating the right infrastructure and environment for people to reach their full potential.

“I hope that my experiences and expertise in sports development and community projects can help OneRen’s life-improving mission to help continue to create these positive spaces.”

Elaine brings with her more than 20 years’ experience of public service, including working with community organisations. She has held her current role as the Paisley-based Head of International Student Recruitment at UWS since 2016. This has included extensive work in business development.

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Outside of work, she is a lifelong participant in sport, with interests ranging from mountain biking and open-water swimming to dance and martial arts.

Elaine said: “I have a real interest and passion for health and wellbeing and for culture, leisure and sport. OneRen’s mission to use this to create opportunities and improve lives across Renfrewshire is one which resonates strongly with me.

“Working at UWS, directly opposite the site of the Paisley Museum Reimagined regeneration project, I cannot fail to be excited by the work so evidently in progress to enhance community and economic wellbeing in Renfrewshire.

“I am genuinely excited about the increasingly influential role that OneRen has to play in the region’s life.”

The new directors were appointed following an open recruitment process.

OneRen Chair, Councillor Lisa-Marie Hughes, said: “I am delighted to welcome Kieron and Elaine to the Board and am looking forward to working with them. We have a high-calibre team around the table.

“Both bring a tremendous amount of experience with them, which I am sure will help influence and inspire us as we strive to help improve health, wellbeing and opportunities for people across Renfrewshire. Exciting times lie ahead.”

OneRen is the operating name of Renfrewshire Leisure Limited.

Author

Founder of Paisley.org.uk in 1998 and constantly strives to change peoples attitudes to the town, Brian is a self described Paisley Digital Champion who promotes Paisley via any means necessary. You can also follow me on X