Kornilov elected as a Director at Volleyball England's 2025 AGM

Up against fellow candidate Jeanne Riot, he won the members’ vote by a 10-2 margin to become an Elected Director, where he is set to serve his first term of four years. 

Kornilov has been involved in volleyball for 45 years and spent nine years prior to his Board appointment helping lead Richmond Volleyball Club as an Executive Committee Member, Men’s Division Manager and Junior Coach. 

Professionally, he has 25-plus years of international leadership at Mastercard and American Express. 

He was present at the meeting to see his election confirmed and will replace Simon Griffiths, who has completed the maximum eight-year term permitted. 

The only other vote taken was to reappoint Duncan and Toplis as the auditors of Volleyball England’s accounts, which was passed with a 11-1 majority. 

Chairing the meeting was Adam Walker’s final act as Independent Chair after he has completed his maximum eight years of service. 

He will be replaced by Alison Shipway, who will take on Chair duties on an interim basis while the process to find a permanent successor is carried out. 

Walker thanked all those that had helped him during his time in the role, adding that “overwhelmingly, he had thoroughly enjoyed it” and said it had been “a real privilege”. 

It was confirmed that Phil French, Andres Hernandez, Jake Sheaf and Jess Plumridge have been reappointed as Directors in line with the Company's Articles of Association. 

The meeting also saw a presentation from Chief Executive Officer Charlie Ford, who highlighted some of the work carried out by Volleyball England during the 2024-25 period. 

Among the highlights he brought to the room’s attention were the establishment of the Heritage Project, a surge in online engagement across social media and streaming platforms, a further reduction on reliance on Sport England funding (down to 35%) and the hosting of six major international events. 

He also spoke of the Bello brothers’ first Beach Pro Tour Elite 16 win for England, burgeoning relationships with FIVB, CEV, ParaVolley Europe and other international organisations, the imminent building of the new beach facility at BCU in Birmingham and the new Learner Managment System (Volleyball England Learning). 

Financial Consultant Kevin Fletcher, meanwhile, outlined via a pre-recorded video that it had been a year of “continued progress” from a financial perspective.

With revenue of £1.8m, up 11.2% on the previous year, the budgeted loss of £34,000 – with reserves being invested into the sport – was actually reduced to £23,000.

Watch the live stream of the AGM in full by clicking here.