A SOLIHULL woman has been appointed to the heart of Liverpool Football Club – after sending a speculative message via the online business network Linkedin.
And sports mad Davinder Jhamat says her success contains a message for everyone – to aim high and don’t be put off by the knock backs.
Davinder, from Olton but originally from Wolverhampton, got in touch with the charity of the European Champions, the LFC Foundation, to further her passion for sport in the community and the opportunity to help make a difference to young lives.
“Five months and six interviews later and here I am,” said Davinder, who says she is humbled to have been appointed to the Foundation’s board of trustees.
“Liverpool Football Club has around one billion followers around the world,” said the trained economist who has worked for the EU and is currently with a global engineering foundation.
“We’re talking about lifelong skills, and this is where Liverpool are very good in terms of its outreach work.”
Davinder brings with her a wealth of contacts and experience, however she is adamant the key message is to inspire and help young people.
She’s also on the board of trustees of The Golf Foundation and has volunteered and helped in a range of sports.
“I have been on a bit of a journey,” she said.
“I run every day, I swim and I fence, and you know, fencing might seem an elitist sport, but the when I was in London the club I went to had the most diverse range of people.
“I told Liverpool I didn’t want to be part of a tick box exercise, yes, I’m from an Asian background, but I’m English and it’s skills that count for so much more.
“My view is that nothing should hold you back in life and this is all about working with kids and giving them a better shot in life.
“Being local, a woman and Indian, it didn’t stop me from pursuing my dream of doing voluntary work and empowering children through sport, education and health – at a national and international level.
“We can always look for excuses to hold us back but if you have passion, if you work at it, nothing can get in your way.”
