Squash Canada is delighted to announce the promotion of Jamie Nicholls to Chief Executive Officer, and Geoffrey Johnson to Chief Operating Officer. These internal changes come with the departure of Mark Roberts, former CEO of Squash Canada, and trigger a shift in roles and responsibilities within the Squash Canada framework. Previously, Nicholls was the Director of Athlete Development and Johnson the Director of Sport Development.
“Squash Canada is very pleased to appoint Jamie Nicholls and Geoffrey Johnson to their new leadership roles within the organization,” shared Squash Canada President Sandra Thompson. “Their combined skill sets will continue to provide Squash Canada with the expertise to move our sport forward, particularly in the areas of growing and promoting squash, Safe Sport, sponsorship, and the ongoing development of our athlete, officiating, and coaching programs.
Mr. Nicholls’ great passion and knowledge of squash and the squash community prepare him well to continue to make a positive impact in his new role of CEO and growing the sport at all levels. Mr. Johnson’s many years of experience in multiple sports in addition to squash, will continue to bring a wealth of expertise to Squash Canada in the COO role.”
Jamie Nicholls – Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
Jamie Nicholls has dedicated his career to the sport of squash through a wide spectrum of experiences including high performance athlete, club professional, facility owner, provincial Executive Director and most recently as Squash Canada’s Director of Athlete Development since 2020. His passion and enthusiasm for the sport is infectious and he has been a proven leader in the squash community for the past 20 years. As newly appointed CEO, Nicholls will build on the commercial successes of the Power Court program as a springboard into renewed growth in the sport at all levels in the country. Nicholls will take on financial and strategic management of the organization and lead a talented and dedicated staff and board of directors.
“I am honored and humbled to be appointed as Chief Executive Officer of Squash Canada. I look forward to leading a truly exceptional community into the next era of growth for our sport. Coming out of the pandemic, squash showed our resiliency, dynamism, passion, and diversity to find new and innovative ways to support our athletes and attract new demographics to the sport. There is much work to do and I’m looking forward to rolling up our collective sleeves to see what we can continue to accomplish.” – Jamie Nicholls, Squash Canada CEO
Geoffrey Johnson – Chief Operating Officer (COO)
In his new role as COO, Johnson will have an enhanced leadership and management role across a broad section of portfolios such as sport development, safe sport, event management and communications. In addition, he will also provide support to the CEO in areas such as strategic planning, budgeting, financial management and policy development. Johnson has been with Squash Canada since October 2018 and brings close to 20 years of sport business management experience to the organization at the provincial and national amateur levels.
“It is an honour to be promoted to the position of Chief Operating Officer with Squash Canada. I look forward to working with our newly appointed Chief Executive Officer Jamie Nicholls to help Squash Canada move forward with its vision to build a bright and sustainable future for the sport of squash in Canada. It is a privilege to continue to serve the Canadian squash community.” – Geoffrey Johnson, Squash Canada COO
Further to the above staffing changes, Samantha Cornett will continue in her role as Manager of Athlete Development and Emily Hall as Programs and Communications Coordinator.
Squash Canada would like to thank Mark Roberts for his time and dedication to his role as CEO and wish him well in his future endeavours. Squash Canada would also like to extend a warm wish of success to Jamie and Geoff in their new roles.
