Rob Phillips

@tomwilliams1974 Good luck Tom, sounds really exciting. V rarely on Twitter these days but just followed you on Linked In and look forward to following your journey…

An update from me ⬇️ Enabling in-person human interaction has always been my North Star. I’m excited to let you know therefore that in this next chapter of my life, and together with my good friend and former UK diplomat, Chris Lomax, I’ll be creating, leading, and growing, an international sport development and diplomacy consultancy. Over the last 20+ years, whether I was working in the sports science department at the @UniversityLeeds , studying physical activity and health at @leedsbeckett University, creating @marathontalk with @myelling, or supporting the growth of @parkrun around the world, it has always been my aspiration to get real people active, together. Chris and I both feel hugely passionate about our contribution to the world, and improving the lives of as many people as possible. We also feel that by combining his strategic, diplomatic, and geopolitical capabilities, with my understanding of scalable, sustainable, and impactful community sport, we can create something truly special. Bringing together our combined experience to advise governments on how sport for development can lead to concrete international cooperation and diplomatic partnerships, we can tap into sport as a common ground between people and countries. We plan to work with governments and organisations in the UK and around the world, helping them to create and nurture their own community-led sport initiatives. Done well, community sport can change the world. We’ll be publishing updates regularly via LinkedIn and hope many of you will stay in touch and perhaps join us for what promises to be an incredible journey. We’d love to hear from you.

@Harlequins Awesome work boys. Very few fingernails left…

London calling, your team answered🫡 #COYQ #HARvSAR

@Harlequins Great half boys, amazing defence. How many times are we going to get held up over the line this season though? Big second half coming up…

Leading at the break 🫡🆙 #COYQ #HARvSAR

@Harlequins Would have taken that before kick off, but feel like we could have/should have won that one. Great effort though boys #COYQ

We come away with two points from Northampton. #COYQ #NORvHAR

@joannasbarlow Awesome work! I really need to learn to swim properly…

@tomwilliams1974 Good luck with everything Tom. I’m sure you’ll be missed by parkrun, but equally sure you’ll be a huge success in whatever you do next…

Some personal news ⬇️ It’s with great pride, and some trepidation, that I’m letting you know my time as a parkrun staff member has come to an end. Fourteen years ago I gave up my safe and secure lecturing job to volunteer for this wonderful movement, and everyday since then I’ve been fortunate to enjoy the most incredible journey. Time and again we’ve faced challenges, as we’ve grown from a handful of events to over two-and-a-half thousand, from one country to over twenty, and from a few thousand people to many millions. Following Paul Sinton-Hewitt's lead, we’ve challenged accepted norms, found new and innovative solutions to complex problems, and worked tirelessly to bring parkrun to as many people as possible. Sitting here reflecting on my experiences, the clear common thread through every memorable moment however has simply been time spent with the most amazing people. The relationships that parkrun has brought me have enriched my life in ways I could never have imagined, restored my faith in humanity, and demonstrated time and again what incredible things we can achieve when we work together toward a common goal. As with all good things however, there comes a time to move on and explore new adventures. For me, that time is now, as with both excitement and nervousness in equal measure, I’m stepping into a new chapter of my life. I’d like to thank everyone who's put their trust in me over the years, stood by me when times have been tough, and pointed me in the right direction when I’ve wandered off course. Thank you. As for parkrun itself, whose journey I often think about in human years, I first experienced it when it was just two years old, I've seen it grow from a toddler to a teenager, and as it’s about to enter its twenties, the future is incredibly bright. I feel immensely proud that the experience parkrunners all around the world enjoy today is so similar to that of the first parkrun pioneers back in 2004, and I’m excited to continue my journey simply as parkrunner A6013. Thank you for your friendship, love, and incredible parkrun passion, Tom

@parkrun Wow! Wasn’t expecting to read that… good luck for the future Tom! You’ll be a huge asset to whoever you work for next…

Tom Williams, Managing Director of the European, Middle East and Africa regions of parkrun leaves the charity to start a new chapter. We would like to thank Tom for his contribution to parkrun worldwide and wish him all the best for the future 👉 parkrun.me/iyp7v

@tomwilliams1974 Amazing! But let’s hope they don’t all turn up at Bushy tomorrow…

Incredible 🚀

Absolute privilege to be there. For just a few minutes, I dreamt it was going to happen again… Thanks Andy.

@tomwilliams1974 The biggest issue* Tom is that I’m in Paris and set my alarm early to travel to it, could have had a lie in… *maybe not THE biggest issue.

Seems so ridiculous to not have a contingency venue, that I can't quite believe it. Must be hundreds of possible venues around France that could host a high quality Olympic triathlon?

Fun first few days at Paris 2024… Murray and Evans, Nadal and Alcaraz with a bit of football and rugby sevens as well. #Olympic2024

@ian_rutson @Karlinski73 It’s not an Olympics rule, they do it in the doubles at lots of events. I checked with Andy and Dan…

@Karlinski73 Do other sports have special ‘Olympic’ rules?!

Why have they gone past 7?! #tennis

@AndyJReed_OBE @QuornRugby I thought you played touch rugby Andy? Hope it’s not too painful…

I’ve had some explaining do this week. A great opportunity to talk about the benefits of #rugby - it looks worse than it is. Thanks to @QuornRugby for giving me a talking point.

@Sonos I enjoyed the blank email with no subject you sent earlier today… I assume it was supposed to contain this statement? Please just fix it…

We’ve heard your concerns about the app update launched on May 7 and appreciate your patience as we make improvements. Please read the letter from our CEO about our progress and commitment to delivering the Sonos experience you expect and deserve: bit.ly/3A7IEMf

@PSH_A1674 @bushyparkrun @parkrunUK @parkrun Lovely words Paul. Ray will be much missed…

@HARD_FI Hard to Beat Move on Now Tied up Too Tight.

STARS OF CCTV was released #OnThisDay 19 years ago! Top 3 tracks on the album? #STARSOFCCTV Listen here: hardfi.lnk.to/spotifydisco

@veerasamy_sonya Oh wow, congratulations Sonya!

Totally humbled and honoured to be recognised in the King’s Birthday honours. Truly privileged to work with such brilliant teams who are making a difference every day.

@ian_rutson Sorry to hear that Ian. Take care…

Sad to report that my wonderful dad passed away this week 😢 He’d not been particularly well for a while but his decline came out of the blue and has knocked us all for six. RIP John Rutson 1943-2024

@PippaCrerar And even then, apologise is the last word in the message.

NEW: Rishi Sunak apologises for returning early from D-day event in Normandy. “It was a mistake not to stay in France longer - and I apologise”.

@tomwilliams1974 Obviously not the same thing at all Tom, but we cycled JOGLE to ‘celebrate’ my 50th. Amazing experience… mate’s say Centurion events are great though.

Ultra advice needed … sitting with Helen, contemplating life over a post-parkrun coffee. With me turning 50 next month, and her in February, to celebrate that we’re thinking about doing a 100-mile race together next summer. Any recommendations for something fun, interesting, good to do in a pair, UK-based, and easy to get in to?