Transition Extreme welcomes new Chief Executive
Transition Extreme, Aberdeen’s award winning extreme sports centre and social enterprise, announce the appointment of a new Chief Executive for the company, Grahame Paterson. Grahame comes with a wealth of experience in both establishing and developing successful social enterprises, including the award-winning ‘Football Aid’ and ‘Columba 1400’ charities.
Transition Extreme Sports Ltd (the company) was established in 2005 as a major new youth focused charity based Aberdeen. In 2007 it opened Transition Extreme, the flagship extreme sports and recreation centre and visitor attraction for the North East Region. At £2.8m, the centre represents the largest single investment in youth facilities in Aberdeen area in decades. In almost 4 years since opening, the centre has been heavily used by the large population of climbers, skateboarders, BMXers and inline skaters in the Aberdeen City and Shire area, as well as attracting visitors from across the UK and Europe. In addition the centre has supported a wide range of health, learning, employability and diversionary initiatives including outreach projects within designated regeneration areas, clients of Aberdeen Foyer, schools groups and a wide variety of other charities and community groups. Transition Extreme, in partnership with Robert Gordon University and Aberdeen College, is currently developing The Alternative Academy - an exciting sports and enterprise programme which sees Transition Extreme and its delivery partner’s work with young people who are at risk of disengaging, or who have disengaged from the formal education system.
In addition to the main climbing and skatepark activity areas Transition also comprises a fully equipped band practice studio, a dedicated arts area, and hosts ‘Simbiosis’ at the Energy Café, AMAG (Aberdeen Martial Arts Group), along with Boarderline and 20Twenty BMX extreme sports retailers within its Centre.
As a charity, Transition Extreme is particularly concerned with assisting the youth population of Aberdeen City & Shire areas to make the difficult transition from childhood to adulthood (avoiding the pitfalls of the many other forms of “negative recreation”) and thereafter maximising their potential within society.
Ken Milroy, Chairman of Transition (and Chief Executive of Aberdeen Foyer) commented “Transition is a tremendous local success story and a great example of what social enterprise can deliver. We are delighted to welcome someone of the calibre of Grahame Paterson into his new post and onto the Board – he comes with an excellent track record and will ensure the company continues to develop and make a really positive impact to communities in the North East.
Grahame Paterson the incoming Chief Executive said “Transition Extreme stands out as a remarkable social enterprise which has achieved a great deal in a short period of time. I look forward immensely to working with all our stakeholders as we move to the next phase of development. We will continue to build on our portfolio of sports and leisure offerings as well as deepen our community activities. As a leading youth charity we will focus on engaging effectively with young people from Aberdeen City and Shire, to help harness their energy and support them in realising their full potential, as they move through the transitions from childhood and onto adulthood. In addition we can play an even greater role in promoting sport and healthy lifestyles as well as profiling the region as a dynamic place to live, work and visit - especially as an exciting short break and weekend destination.”
Transition Extreme is currently looking to recruit a Fundraising Manager in order to build their fundraising capabilities as they move forward to a new phase of development - click here or visit www.transition-extreme.com for more information
