In the 80's Geoff Thompson made a transition from tracksuit to lounge suit where he established himself as a sports politician and administrator following an outstanding career in competitive karate
In 1988 Geoff was a participant in the Government's Review of Sport in the Inner Cities following the urban riots that swept through the UK. In 1990 he was appointed to the GB Sports Council (now Sport England) and was heavily involved in promoting Manchester's bid for the 2000 Olympics and the successful bid for the 2002 Commonwealth Games as part of the ambassadorial team. He joined Salford University Business Services in 1991 and was Vice President of the Sports Aid Foundation’s North West Region.
As founder and Executive Chairman of the Youth Charter he has, for the past fifteen years, been at the forefront in developing policies and innovative approaches looking at the role of Sport, Art and cultural activity and its social impact in addressing anti-social youth behaviour, child obesity, weapon and gang culture.