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Staff Yearbook December 2011

The year that was A year inside

It’s hard to believe the year has passed already – but what a year it has been!

In 2011 we really started getting ready to stage the greatest show on earth. Years of planning were put into action as we kicked off our London Prepares test event programme.

What else? Well, to name but a few highlights: we’ve had an overwhelming response to ticket sales; we’ve seen the Olympic Torch design and first details of the Olympic and Paralympic Torch Relays; our International Inspiration programme hit the target of reaching 12 million young people around the world (and continues to grow); our Get Set education programme is going from strength to strength; the London 2012 Festival programme launched; and we revealed the Games-time uniform...

Some of the most memorable moments of the year were when the UK joined us to celebrate. One year to go to the Olympic Games saw celebrations both at Trafalgar Square and at the Aquatics Centre with Tom Daley performing the first dive, which trended worldwide on Twitter. And, of course, we held the successful International Paralympic Day, a spectacular showcase for Paralympic sport.

And while all that’s been going on, we’ve continued to recruit more people as we head closer to the Games. We’ve doubled in staff numbers again and by Games time we will have around 6,000 LOCOG staff. We’ve also had a chance to get together and celebrate through the year. Over the following pages you can have a look at 2011, LOCOG style.

And wherever you will be as the clock ticks over to our year, 2012, we hope you have a fantastic time!

TK Our year

Seb Coe Paul Deighton Chair Chief Executive

The countdown clock in Trafalgar Square Preparations for the Torch Relays and The progress we have made in the last 12 As we look ahead, we now think in terms is marking the time left until the Olympic Games Maker volunteering programme months is incredible. We are a different of venues rather than departments; of Games Opening Ceremony on 27 July are in excellent shape. organisation to what we were a year ago operations rather than planning. It’s all next year – the point at which all our in terms of focus, structure and size. As becoming very real. The sheer amount planning and preparations, not to mention Our tickets launched to unprecedented a group of people we are more diverse of hard work and collaboration that you our hopes and dreams, become reality. demand, and members of the public than ever before and we have used every have demonstrated has got us to this have been able to attend test events and opportunity to work together as a team point. We know what we need to deliver We still have much to achieve over watch world-class sport in London 2012 and go beyond our personal best. in 2012. the remaining months but we should venues, giving a flavour of what they can take this opportunity to reflect on expect next summer. We’ve also enjoyed each other’s Please do take some time to reflect on the another year of amazing achievements. company along the way and celebrated highlights of 2011 with pride and return I hope you have an enjoyable break, and our achievements – that’s what this in 2012 feeling energised and prepared Our one year to go celebrations and return refreshed and ready to stage the yearbook is all about. to do the best work of your lives. International Paralympic Day helped greatest show on earth. build interest and excitement in the UK and all around the world. The year in pictures January February March April

With 18 months to go until London 2012, Team GB cyclists take to the track in The first Olympic Rings at St Pancras Liz Johnson lays the final tile in the we launch the volunteer interview the Velodrome, the first venue on the International station and the Countdown Aquatics Centre pool to mark 500 days programme to find 70,000 Games Makers. Olympic Park to finish construction. Clock in Trafalgar Square are revealed. to the Paralympic Games. The first match Olympic Games tickets go on sale. takes place at the Handball Arena.

July August September September

International Inspiration delivers on its The first test event is held on the Olympic The Paralympic Torch Relay programme International Paralympic Day wows the promise of reaching 12 million children Park. The mascots get their big screen is announced and the Paralympic Games crowds in Trafalgar Square and Paralympic worldwide. Open Weekend takes place debut as their film hits ODEON cinemas medals are unveiled. Games tickets go on sale. across the UK with over 1.3 million people in the UK. The 1,500th London 2012 enjoying more than a thousand events. Inspire mark is awarded. May June July July

Exciting plans are announced for the The Olympic Torch design is revealed. One year to go to the Olympic In a special event held at Trafalgar Olympic Torch Relay and the search Stars join children on the red carpet for Games is celebrated across the UK. Square, the Olympic Games medals are begins to find 8,000 inspirational the premiere of the Cultural Olympiad’s Tom Daley performs the first dive in the unveiled to the world live on the BBC. Torchbearers. The London Prepares Tate Movie Project ‘The Itch of the Aquatics Centre. series of test events begins. Golden Nit’.

October November November December

The track in the Olympic Stadium is The London 2012 Festival programme ‘Support a team’, a strand of ‘Get Set Goalball, the first Paralympic test event, revealed and used for the first time. is launched and the official London 2012 goes global’, is launched, encouraging takes place at the Handball Arena on the posters are unveiled. More than 1,000 schools to support teams around the world Olympic Park. communities on the route of the Olympic in the run up to the Games. The Games- Torch Relay are revealed. time uniform is also revealed. Staff events

January February March March

The year kicks off with the staff away day He shoots, he scores! We are joined by Paul Williamson and enthusiastic recruits Secret agent and International Man of at Wembley Stadium. The day is action GB players to learn more about Olympic give us some top tips on applying for Mystery, Austin Powers, pops in as part packed and there’s some singing too! Football and staff line up to give it their tickets to the greatest show on earth at of Security Awareness Week. Altogether now: ‘Give us one moment in all in a penalty shoot out. the Ticketing staff briefing. time...’

July July August September

To mark one year to go to the Olympic To round up our ‘one year to go’ It’s full steam ahead in August as We get the inside track on International Games, the Olympic Games medals celebrations, staff get the chance to catch we hold eight test events, including the Paralympic Day and the LOCOG team get the thumbs up as they make their up with friends and hear an update from Sailing event in Weymouth and Portland. reaches the finals of the national sitting way around the offices before they are Paul and Seb at the Summer Update, volleyball tournament at Trafalgar Square. unveiled to the world. North Greenwich Arena. April May June July

The Path Forward event at ExCeL lets Happy Birthday Wenlock and GB athletes show us their tricks and It’s six years since we won the bid. We us reflect on our journey to the Games Mandeville! The dynamic duo celebrate techniques, and staff get to grips with welcome former Prime Minister Tony Blair and hear from some London 2012 their special day with staff in the offices. Wrestling too, at the sports briefing. and his wife Cherie as they reflect on hopefuls. There’s also the chance to their involvement in the bid and have a go at Handball. chat to staff.

October October November December

We experience world-renowned The Autumn Update gives us a chance LOCOG models strut their stuff on the ‘Tis the season to be jolly – staff get their hospitality as British Airways to evaluate our progress and look ahead catwalk as we get the first look at the glad rags on for a night of glitz and crew members serve refreshments at what’s coming up. GB athletes Jamie Games Maker workforce and Technical glamour at the LOCOG Christmas Party. at Team Thursday. Cooke and Dai Greene share their stories Official uniforms. and there’s also a chance to have a go at Gymnastics.

We asked each department at LOCOG to tell us which sport they would win gold in and to design their winning medal – here’s Going for gold what you said...

Brand, Ceremonies, Commercial Marketing and Education and Archery: Because we hit Culture Live Sites all our targets. Sitting Volleyball: Synchronised Members of our Swimming: Because we team reached the work in harmony, like a International Paralympic bit of glamour and all Day finals playing sport look good in swimsuits! like never before, so living proof it’s a sport we must be good at.

Communications Executive Office Finance and Public Decathlon: Because Archery: Finance is Affairs we are a multi-talented all about precision – team who have strength hitting the target, giving Table Tennis: It requires (of mind!), stamina, perspective to the dexterity, subtlety and can multi-task and we business and delivering lightning fast reactions obviously had to choose our best performance with a fine attention an Athletics discipline! together. to detail. Design your department’s winning medal

Department: Health and Human Which sport Legal would your team win gold in and why? (25 words Safety Resources max) Rhythmic Gymnastics: Rowing: We are the 4 x 100m relay: We’re Because the Legal team LOCOG coxswains – fast, dynamic and can is always looking for a providing direction, rely on each other to loophole. steering and motivation never drop the baton. to win in a harm- free and healthy environment.

Department:

Which sport would your team win gold in and why? (25 words max)

The Legal Team would win gold in Rhythmic Gymnastics because we are always looking for a loophole.

Paralympic Readiness Security and Integration We would win the Resilience excel spreadsheet Paralympic Cycling: Sailing: Mastery gold because we have We’re great at keeping over ever-changing unsurpassed knowledge everyone on track! conditions on open and expertise in water requires skill and organising data into nerve. a well structured database. Going for gold

Sport Strategic Technology We’d settle for Programmes Synchronised nothing less in any Sitting Volleyball: Swimming: Because sport so it would be We’d win with Technology is about gold all the way – 100 seasoned professionalism, working together per cent committed and clawsome dedication and seamlessly. ultra-competitive. It’s all crabulous team spirit. about sport!

Transport Venues and Villages and Rhythmic Gymnastics: Infrastructure Games Services The delicate, meticulous Tennis: Because the ball Tennis: Because the way nature of Transport; always seems to be in we serve is ace! the flowing ribbon our court! symbolises the ease and beauty of a well mapped route through the congested streets of London.

Department: TRANSPORT

What sport would your team win gold in and why? Caption competition

‘Look, I passed you the Vancouver Torch and now ‘Paul arrives on his invisible Boris Bike.’ ‘You should give BMX cycling a go Your Highness I’m here to pick it up. I said I’d be back.’ Martin Hall, Wayfinding and Signage Artworker – it’s really quite exhilarating!’ Craig Beaumont, Government Relations Manager Sophie Pinn, International Dignitary ‘I can’t wait until they let us loose on the actual Programme Coordinator ‘Seb mistook “I’ll be back” for “Watch my back”.’ motorbikes but I think I am the only one doing Pamela Russel-Smith, Technology Project Coordinator the sound effects.’ ‘Actually Camilla, I’m this much taller than Seb.’ Michael Margetts, Stratford Village Logistics Manager Aleksandra Girling, Communications Coordinator ‘He may be big but I can still run faster than him.’ Mark Caress, Rate Card Coordinator ‘As the hunt for the new Thriller dancers continued, ‘And our team from Accreditation get about this there really was only one clear winner.’ many day pass requests nearly every day!!!’ William Mitchell, Results Test Analyst Julian Yeandle, Accreditation Venue Operations Leader Illuminating the values

Lianne Warnell Louise Jolly We asked you who in LOCOG illuminated the values in 2011. Thanks to everyone who nominated – we received hundreds of incredible nominations. Here are the winners.

The winners have been awarded a VIP guest place to join the Olympic Torch Relay for one day and one night.

Dan Hull Mark Smith

Brian Hobkirk Brittney Collins Jonathan Davis Inspirational Open Respectful Robert Burton

Rebecca Syrett Alison Quinlan

Kika Dabbs

Sophie Wooller Peter Richardson

Stacey Meadows

Nick Leech

Team Deliver Distinctive

Here’s a round up of LOCOG sport A question of sport team’s action by team members.

Basketball Cricket Hockey Ladies football Joanna Sutherland Toby Hiles, Anne-Catherine Lenne Mark Scholey Nicola Milan LOCOG’s Basketball team has continued A busy summer of cricket was thwarted Record: P14, W12, D1, L1 Record: W26, L18, biggest win 15-0 apace into its second year of existence by a busy summer of test events. Sterling The results in 2011 speak volumes. The team is now in its sixth year and in with many new faces joining. 2011 has performances abounded, led from the The highlight has to be recapturing that time has grown from barely being seen a couple of fixtures against our front by skipper Paul Valkovics, who the Battersea Mixed Tournament on a able to field five players every week friends at the NBA, although the current adopted a squad rotation approach by lovely day in June with an even more to being more popular than Robert record of 0-2 needs improvement! choice, and not because the test event dominant victory than in 2009 – we only Pattinson*. We now have a squad of summer decimated many of the 2010 conceded one goal in our six games. nearly 40 players and have two teams The highlight was, without doubt, stalwarts! Rain played its part, restricting Lianne Warnell must get a mention for playing in different leagues. This year LOCOG Basketball’s role in the dress the team to only four games and an end her performance between the sticks whilst has been less about success on the pitch rehearsal for the Basketball test event. of season black tie dinner at old foes Michiel Aulbers was too hot to handle and more about escaping from work, de- Regulars headed to the Basketball Arena Woolwich Garrison. Who knows whether outfield. In fact, only one person could stressing, having fun and making friends and played a warm up game only days we’ll get to play in summer 2012.... I keep up with him and that is who the from across the organisation in our before the event got underway, thus wouldn’t think so, but with LOCOG’s 2011 Most Valuable Player award goes post-match analysis in the pub. Our aim providing the BBA team with a chance cricket team results are never a certainty!! to: Kate Potts. Honourable mentions and is to still win a league before the Games; to run a test of its operations before the thank yous to Kerry Underhill for booking we’ve come very close so many times international teams arrived. A great pitches and to Jude King for organising and I’m confident our time will come! experience in a fantastic venue! our excellent new hockey stash too. Bring on our game(s) on the new pink and blue *not independently verified As everyone gets busier into the new year, east London facility next year. just remember – mens sana in corpore sano! We look forward to still seeing you on court on Thursdays.

Lastly, a big shout out has to go to Verity for keeping the ball rolling (or bouncing!). Netball Softball Touch Rugby Natalie Cramp, Amanda Aukett, Anita Chandler Mick Wright Emma Hopkins 2011 was a successful year for the The team picked up from where they left Having won the Platinum League last softball team. We made it to the off in 2010 and brought home two more year, ‘LOCOG Ladies’ reached the finals finals of League Four having knocked pieces of silverware. With three teams and two semis in the two leagues. Pretty out Facebook, current champions competing in the local leagues – one impressive considering all the injuries, test (apparently undefeated for five seasons) men’s and two mixed – a well-drilled events and new teams who are testing our in the quarter finals and going on to squad with strength in depth saw off fitness ability! defeat the Dare Devils 20–7 in torrential the opposition and trophy success was weather conditions. experienced in both men’s and mixed ‘Olympic Stars’ were crowned champions competitions. A vastly superior standard of the Golden League. The team emerged LOCOG’s expanding workforce and its of play was necessary compared to the victorious with a score of 22–14 after a culturally diverse backbone resulted in an previous season but this was met with challenging final against Bank of America. influx of Canadians and Americans into gusto and over 40 people took part in We’ve been promoted to the Platinum the team, which only strengthened our the season’s touch rugby activities!!! League now! 2010 team while proving beneficial as now a few people on the team actually ‘Olympic Gold’ have played as an know the rules! Test events caused havoc established team for over a year now, with the regular line up and we are culminating in winning the Platinum thankful to those willing participants who League. It was really close all season but contributed to our success. we beat off tough competition against Barclays (the favourites) and won the final! As much as the success was sweet and as a team we improved remarkably, A fourth netball team, ‘Olympic Flames’, we also had a great time, lots of laughs have just entered the Monday night and occasionally a great English Golden League. summer evening. Seb Coe, Chair Paul Deighton ––International Paralympic Day – Chief Executive fantastic turn out in Trafalgar Square, amazing coverage and proof that ––Visiting Wales, where I met local people people in this country really get who have been inspired by the Games Paralympic sport. to set up projects to improve their Director’s cut wellbeing. I was proud to award three ––Meeting children involved in the Leeds- projects the Inspire mark. based Inspire project, ‘Spirit Alive’: We asked the directors: if we were to 130 children have organised and ––Seeing the Greenwich Park test events make a film of 2011 at LOCOG, which managed their own ‘mini Games’, go spectacularly well in such a stunning setting after all the hard work. three ‘scenes’ would make the cut in your including opening and closing ceremonies. It was truly inspirational. ––Celebrating one year to go with film? See what they said... ––Succeeding in getting Jackie Brock- everyone at our Summer Update event – Doyle to take the tube! a real milestone!

Nigel Garfitt Richard George Chris Holmes Sue Hunt Villages and Games Services Transport Paralympic Integration Strategic Programmes ––The Road Race, Triathlon and Beach ––Watching people grow in confidence ––International Paralympic Day - the ––Trying out white water rafting at Volleyball test events, all were delivered throughout the year. greatest Paralympic moment outside one of our amazing vanues was the Games. exhilarating! brilliantly by our teams. ––Watching the initiative and the ––One year to go – an amazing day at the assured way things were dealt with ––Seeing the first prototype bus ––Hearing the Sustainability Aquatics Centre and Trafalgar Square. during a summer of test events. conversion, which allows six Ambassadors enthusing about our wheelchair users to travel on one bus! work as we walked through the ––Chefs de Mission seminar – sharing ––In the pub after the test events, parklands. our plans with the teams that will be realising how many LOCOG people ––Regional visits to promote Paralympic competing, living and working in there were compared to six months tickets, and what a fantastic result. ––The atmosphere of test events; our Villages. earlier, and how well everyone was seeing the planning pay off and getting along as a team. meeting our smiling volunteers. Doug Arnot Jackie Brock-Doyle James Bulley Games Operations Communications and Public Affairs Venues and Infrastructure ––The energy, pride and sense of accomplishment ––Instant community and local ownership of the ––Watching the team’s excitement as the first from each of the test event teams through Olympic Torch Relay when we launched the piece of overlay was delivered to our The the year. overnight stops in May – it is a piece of magic! Mall for the test event. ––The dedication to progress evidenced through the ––Watching 18-year-old schoolgirl Noor swim ––Terry Miller’s beaming face as the first horse teams as we tick off the months in Path Forward. in the Aquatics Centre during our ‘one year to trotted into the arena at the Greenwich Park As well as our shifting focus throughout the ranks go‘ celebrations having learned to swim a year Equestrian test event. on shared successes rather than earlier through our International Inspiration ––Watching Seb run around the track, eight functional successes. programme. We made that happen! years after I first drew up a proposal for the ––The sense of teamwork and responsibility ––Horses ‘jumping into Canary Wharf’ – our Press Olympic Stadium. evidenced in the cross-functional cross-domain Ops photo team’s vision and precision planning issue resolution teams working throughout CPX 2. coming to life for the world to see – just stunning!

Debbie Jevans Sir Ian Johnston Julian Linfield Sport Security and Resilience Health and Safety ––The final mile (one year to go) and the ––The confirmation that our target of ––Holding test events without significant change in emphasis from buildings to the delivering 350 searches per hour incidents. We’re here to help achieve sport that will take place in them. was achievable, as shown through exciting things safely rather than stopping them on grounds of ‘Elf and Safety’. ––Seeing Horse Guards Parade – it was the tests in June. perfect test event for the sport and London. ––Signing the contract with G4S, who ––The LOCOG Board and the enthusiastic engagement of the senior team in our vision ––Seeing the Sport team expand and will manage 23,000 of the security of a harm-free Games. knowing that they will play their part in workforce. delivering a great Games. ––The successful delivery of test events ––The development of a ‘Super’ Health and throughout the year. Safety Induction e-learning package – it’s ground breaking! Mike Loynd Terry Miller Bill Morris Greg Nugent Readiness Legal Ceremonies, Education and Brand and Marketing ––When I realised I had the job at ––The first horse and rider cantering Live Sites ––Watching Tom Daley practise his LOCOG. First I was excited because into the arena in Greenwich Park for ––Seb and our young ambassadors dive for one year to go. London is such a special city, but then the test event, with the sun shining on launching the Olympic Truce at the ––The Games Maker and Technical panic started to set in! the beautiful buildings and lighting United Nations General Assembly to Official uniform launch. ––The panic subsided when I saw the up the skyscrapers of Canary Wharf unanimous support from all nations. in the distance. ––Ian Allan losing the ‘mote’ and quality of our people. I knew we would ––Revealing the Olympic Torch at St having to keep his tash all the be successful. ––Launch of the Main Operations Pancras International Station and the way through to 3 January. ––I’ve been involved in a few Games, but Centre (MOC). medals at the British Museum. what never wears off is the fulfilment ––Boris Johnson at St Pancras ––Welcoming thousands of enthusiastic of a team coming together to deliver International Station for the unveiling Ceremonies volunteers to join our mass something great. of the giant Olympic Rings. cast auditions at Three Mills Studios.

Gerry Pennell Jean Tomlin Chris Townsend Neil Wood Technology HR Commercial Finance ––When the results equipment moved ––International Paralympic Day was ––Raising £2 billion in revenue by July 2011 ––Rate Card website launched and from the test lab to support the first energetic, fun and really showed was the highlight for the Commercial Team. sales began in May. we are distinctive. It made me test event. ––Closing the Domestic Sponsorship ––AFC process up and running to very proud. ––The Technology Operation Centre Programme having achieved the provide greater visibility of LOCOG’s (TOC) operating live for the first time. ––Young Games Maker launch – £700million target was also a major financial risks and opportunities and extending the magic of the volunteer achievement for the year – especially assurance to the GOE. ––Seeing results information streaming programme to include the youth. given the highly challenging economic ––Revenue successes through through to the TOC during environment. the Equestrian test event at ––Uniform launch – the lights, the completion of local sponsorship Greenwich Park. music, the catwalk, and the budding ––Setting new records for ticket sales a programme and strength of ticket supermodels! It was a real team year in advance of the Games. Seven sales to date. effort and I can’t wait to wear it at million tickets have been sold so far for Games time. the Games. How many? Top tweets The year in numbers #1yeartogo was: The highest ranking global trending topic on Twitter 79,200 cups of tea were served in the offices on July 27. Tweeted 160,000+ times by users 4,561 building passes were issued around the world. 122,950 people visited the offices 13,044 meetings were held Tinchy Stryder BIG shout out to @london2012 for asking me to Community events: We met 21,023 people at 84 community events and meetings be a part of the amazing-ness that is the Olympics We reached 450,000 followers across Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube coming to our city!! Over 30,000 customisations of Wenlock and Mandeville were created Boris Johnson Some of our accolades: One year to go until London, the greatest city Best Sports Licensed Property at the Licensing Awards on earth, hosts the greatest show on earth and I British Banger Award (for our outstanding services to the British pig industry!) can’t wait #1yeartogo KantarSport Business Achievement of the Year Award at the Sport Industry Awards Good Egg Award Rebecca Adlington, Team GB British Standard BS8901 for our commitment to delivering a sustainable Games One year to go until London Olympics!!!! Good Food on the Public Plate Award Very exciting for the whole of Britain and Safest Site of the Year by Bouygues/Ecovert FM for every sport involved! I can’t wait!!!! Advanced Level of the Equality Standard for Sport A BAFTA at the British Academy Children’s Awards for the London 2012 Cultural Olympiad initiative Tate Movie Project Coming up in 2012

9 January 200 days to go to the Olympic Games 10 January Olympic Park handover from ODA to LOCOG 11 February 200 days to go to the Paralympic Games 3 March Swimming test event at the Aquatics Centre (one of the many test events we are holding next year) 18 April 100 days to go to the Olympic Games 18 May Olympic Flame arrives in the UK 19 May Olympic Torch Relay begins 21 May 100 days to go to the Paralympic Games 21 June London 2012 Festival starts 21 July Olympic Flame arrives in London 25 July Olympic Football competition starts 27 July Olympic Games Opening Ceremony 12 August Olympic Games Closing Ceremony 24 August Paralympic Torch Relay begins 29 August Paralympic Games Opening Ceremony 9 September Paralympic Games Closing Ceremony 9 September London 2012 Festival ends

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