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Board and Executive
Location
Nationwide
Salary
Voluntary
Organisation
Sport and Recreation Alliance
Contract
Part Time
Closing date: 18th November 2025
The Sport and Recreation Alliance believe that the power of sport and recreation can change lives and bring communities together. With our members and in partnership with the wider sector, we make the most of opportunities and tackle the areas that provide a challenge.
We do this by providing advice, support and guidance and by being the voice of the sector. Working with Government, policy makers and the media, we help grassroots sport and recreation grow and thrive. Having an active nation is important as it delivers huge benefits to society and the millions of participants, volunteers, staff and spectators.
You can find out more in our new 2025-30 strategy 'A United Voice for Sport and Recreation' and impact report on our website.
Our Purpose, Vision, Mission and Values continue to underpin our work - our focus and what we deliver.
VISION: A vibrant, safe and sustainable sport and recreation ecosystem which enables everyone to participate when, where and how they choose.
We believe a different future is possible. One in which sport and recreation is at the very heart of national life, built on the organisations, places and people that make it all happen.
PURPOSE: We believe the power of sport and recreation should be recognised from the highest levels of Government to the grassroots.
Sport and recreation matters. Not in an abstract sense but in a real, life-changing way. It brings enormous benefits to individuals and communities - it unites and inspires us, improves health and wellbeing, breaks down barriers and brings joy and happiness to millions. We believe this deserves to be recognised.
MISSION: We enable sport and recreation bodies to do more than they can alone through the power of our collective advocacy and the strength of our services.
As a member body we’re here for the organisations that deliver sport and recreation. Everything we do, every day is designed to make our members’ lives easier and to create the conditions for their success. We do this by providing independence and scale - aggregating hundreds of different organisations together into a collective voice and delivering shared services which save time and money and empower our members to do what they do best.
Values: We know that values are not just words – they matter.
Our values define how we work - how we engage with one another, and the relationships we foster with our members, partners and wider stakeholders.
Throughout the life of our strategy, we will be guided by three simple values:
Governance
We are committed to high standards of governance and we are compliant at Tier 3 with ‘A Code for Sports Governance’. Our governance structure and policies allow us to maintain a strong board which works hard to build a sustainable organisation. Further details of our Board and framework can be found here.
Thank you for your interest in becoming the Chair or Deputy Chair of the NGB Coalition Division of the Sport and Recreation Alliance.
The Sport and Recreation Alliance believe that the power of sport and recreation can change lives and bring communities together. With our members, and in partnership with the wider sector, we seek to make the most of opportunities and face up to the areas that challenge us.
Our 2021-2025 strategy came at a critical juncture for both society and our sector. The COVID-19 pandemic reinforced both the importance of sport, recreation and physical activity to the lives of individuals and communities but also highlighted how easily it could be taken away. Now, more than ever, we must work creatively and collaboratively to make the case for sport and recreation.
Climate change, we know, will present significant questions for the delivery of sport and recreation at both grassroots and elite level. In general, the economic environment for the sector – exacerbated by the legacy of the pandemic, significant cuts to local Government services and the cost-of-living crisis – remains challenging.
The Alliance’s strategy expired this year, and the Board has consulted with our members to identify priorities for the next strategic period; I feel confident that they will work with us in the most positive spirit to move the organisation forward over the next five years.
We have worked with the NGB CEO Forum to identify how to better place NGBs within the work that we do and you can read more about the roles of the Chair and Deputy Chair in this pack. We want to be clear about what we are looking for and this pack is designed to help you understand more about us. We are also happy to answer any questions you may have.
1. Purpose
This role shall:
1.1 Chair the NGB Coalition which is established to take delegated responsibility on behalf of the Sport and Recreation Alliance (the “Alliance”) Board for creating the environment which allows National Governing Bodies of Sport (“NGBs”) to reach more people and to enrich their lives through their involvement in sport.
1.2 Provide leadership to the NGB Coalition, ensuring that it fulfils its functions well, and to work closely with the NGB Executive Lead and Alliance CEO to support, advise and help shape proposals to be discussed at Management Group meetings and where relevant Alliance board meetings.
1.3 Be a board member of the Alliance, in an ex officio capacity, and support the Alliance Chair and the Board in carrying out its duties.
2. Term and appointment
2.1 The Chair of the NGB Coalition will be appointed by the Alliance’s Nominations Committee for a four-year term, which may be extended for one further term with the support of the NGB Coalition Management Group and at the discretion of the Alliance Board / Nominations Committee.
2.2 The NGB Coalition Chair will be an ex officio member of the Alliance Board and have equal status and voting rights with all the other directors.
3. Role of Chair
The Chair’s role shall:
3.1 ensure the NGB Coalition contributes to the development of the Alliance’s strategy and operational plans, in relation to the work of NGBs, and to the development of the NGB Coalition action plan.
3.2 ensure the NGB Coalition action plan delivers the Alliance strategy and operational plans in relation to the work of NGBs, delegated to it by the Alliance Board.
3.3 lead the NGB Coalition in monitoring the implementation of the Alliance strategy and operational plans, in relation to the work of NGBs, and the implementation of the NGB Coalition action plan.
3.4 ensure the culture of the NGB Coalition reflects that of the Alliance, balancing and valuing the support and challenge responsibilities.
3.5 ensure the NGB Coalition acts as a team and considers all NGBs.
3.6 share responsibilities and meetings with the Deputy/Vice Chair (tbc) as appropriate.
3.7 collaborate with NGB CEOs and NGB Chairs to ensure that the Alliance strategy and operational plans, in relation to the work of NGBs, and the NGB Coalition action plan is relevant to all its NGB members.
3.8 where required, represent the NGB Coalition and Alliance in its dealings with external partners and be an advocate.
3.9 report to the NGB Coalition members, the Alliance board members and where required to the Alliance AGM.
3.10 As an ex officio member of the Alliance Board, provide support to the Board in carrying out its roles and responsibilities and to be led by the Alliance Chair to achieve the Organisation’s strategy, including:
3.10.1 Ensure that the Alliance has a clear vision and strategic direction and is focused on achieving these.
3.10.2 Being responsible for the overall performance of the organisation and for its culture and ethos.
3.10.3 Ensuring that the organisation complies with all legal and regulatory requirements.
3.10.4 Acting as a guardian of the organisation’s assets, both tangible and intangible, taking all due care over their security, deployment and proper application.
3.10.5 Ensuring that the organisation’s governance and probity is of the highest possible standard.
4. Person Specification
The NGB Coalition Chair will be able to demonstrate:
4.1 extensive knowledge and understanding of NGBs and to have held a leadership position (Chair or CEO) or another senior executive or non-executive role at an NGB.
4.2 a good understanding of the opportunities and challenges affecting NGBs and be able to articulate these.
4.3 experience in developing strong working relationships with NGB CEOs and Chairs; senior officials in the national partners (UK Sport, Sport England, BOA/BPA) as well as Government.
4.4 an ability to lead and chair the NGB Coalition and to bring together a shared purpose, vision and strategy.
4.5 an ability to communicate effectively with all NGBs and the wider partners to advance the case of NGBs and sport more broadly.
4.6 an understanding of, and commitment to, sport and/or physical recreation.
4.7 ability and willingness to continue to develop and maintain the Alliance’s strategic focus and direct the organisation towards its future.
4.8 a commitment to the Alliance and ability to devote the necessary time.
4.9 a strategic vision, independent judgement, an ability to think creatively and a willingness to speak your mind.
4.10 A clear commitment to improving diversity and equality and understanding the needs of under-represented groups in sport.
4.11 knowledge of good governance and commitment to highest standards.
4.12 independence of any NGB (no current political or commercial involvement within an
NGB).
5. The commitment
5.1 This role is voluntary with reasonable travel expenses being covered and is expected to be no more than 24 days per annum.
5.2 In addition to chairing the NGB Coalition, this role will be expected to attend all Alliance board meetings (four meetings a year), to chair all NGB Coalition Management Group meetings (at least four meetings a year), to attend the Alliance AGM (1 day) and other meetings as required (four days).
1. Purpose
This role shall:
1.1 Be Deputy Chair of the NGB Coalition which is established to take delegated responsibility on behalf of the Sport and Recreation Alliance (the “Alliance”) Board for creating the environment which allows National Governing Bodies of Sport (“NGBs”) to reach more people and to enrich their lives through their involvement in sport. The Terms of Reference for the NGB Coalition and Management Group can be found in Appendix 1.
1.2 Provide leadership to the NGB Coalition, ensuring that it fulfils its functions well, and to work closely with the NGB Coalition Chair, NGB Executive Lead and Alliance CEO to support, advise and help shape proposals to be discussed at Management Group meetings and where relevant Alliance board meetings.
1.3 To deputise for the Chair of the NGB Coalition as and when required.
1.4 Be a board member of the Alliance, in an ex officio capacity, and support the Alliance Chair and the Board in carrying out its duties.
2. Term and appointment
2.1 The Deputy Chair of the NGB Coalition will be appointed by the Alliance’s Nominations Committee for a four-year term, which may be extended for one further term with the support of the NGB Coalition Management Group and at the discretion of the Alliance Board / Nominations Committee.
2.2 The NGB Coalition Deputy Chair will be an ex officio member of the Alliance Board and have equal status and voting rights with all the other directors.
3. Role of Deputy Chair
The Deputy Chair’s role shall:
3.1 support the Chair in ensuring the NGB Coalition contributes to the development of the Alliance’s strategy and operational plans, in relation to the work of NGBs, and to the development of the NGB Coalition action plan.
3.2 support the Chair in ensuring the NGB Coalition action plan delivers the Alliance strategy and operational plans in relation to the work of NGBs, delegated to it by the Alliance Board.
3.3 support the Chair, the NGB Executive Lead and the NGB Coalition in monitoring the implementation of the Alliance strategy and operational plans, in relation to the work of NGBs, and the implementation of the NGB Coalition action plan.
3.4 act as a sounding board for the Chair, sharing tasks with the Chair when agreed, ensuring a manageable workload.
3.5 be the Chair’s deputy in times of Chair absence.
3.6 ensure the NGB Coalition acts as a team and considers all NGBs.
3.7 collaborate with NGB CEOs and NGB Chairs to ensure that the Alliance strategy and operational plans, in relation to the work of NGBs, and the NGB Coalition action plan is relevant to all its NGB members.
3.8 where required, represent the NGB Coalition and Alliance in its dealings with external partners and be an advocate.
3.9 report to the NGB Coalition members, the Alliance board members and where required to the Alliance AGM.
3.10 As an ex officio member of the Alliance Board, provide support to the Board in carrying out its roles and responsibilities and to be led by the Alliance Chair to achieve the Organisation’s strategy, including:
3.10.1 Ensure that the Alliance has a clear vision and strategic direction and is focused on achieving these.
3.10.2 Being responsible for the overall performance of the organisation and for its culture and ethos.
3.10.3 Ensuring that the organisation complies with all legal and regulatory requirements.
3.10.4 Acting as a guardian of the organisation’s assets, both tangible and intangible, taking all due care over their security, deployment and proper application.
3.10.5 Ensuring that the organisation’s governance and probity is of the highest possible standard.
4. Person Specification
The NGB Coalition Deputy Chair will be able to demonstrate:
4.1 current employment as a CEO or senior executive of an NGB in membership of the NGB Coalition.
4.2 a good understanding of the opportunities and challenges affecting NGBs and be able to articulate these.
4.3 strong working relationships with NGB CEOs and Chairs; senior officials in the national partners (UK Sport, Sport England, BOA/BPA) as well as Government.
4.4 an ability to lead and chair the NGB Coalition and to bring together a shared purpose, vision and strategy.
4.5 an ability to communicate effectively with all NGBs and the wider partners to advance the case of NGBs and sport more broadly.
4.6 an understanding of, and commitment to, sport and/or physical recreation.
4.7 ability and willingness to continue to develop and maintain the Alliance’s strategic focus and direct the organisation towards its future.
4.8 a commitment to the Alliance and ability to devote the necessary time.
4.9 a strategic vision, independent judgement, an ability to think creatively and a willingness to speak your mind.
4.10 a clear commitment to improving diversity and equality and understanding the needs of under-represented groups in sport.
4.11 knowledge of good governance and commitment to highest standards.
5. The commitment
5.1 This role is voluntary with reasonable travel expenses being covered and is expected to be no more than 12-14 days per annum.
5.2 This role will be expected to attend all NGB Coalition meetings, all Alliance board meetings (four meetings a year), all NGB Coalition Management Group meetings (at least four meetings a year), the Alliance AGM (1 day) and other meetings as required (up to four days).
Please find below details of the selection process, to assist you in completing and tailoring your application:
You should submit:
Please send your completed application form and letter to the Company Secretary, BY EMAIL to Kate Lawrenson klawrenson@sportandrecreation.org.uk
Closing date – applications should be received by 12noon on Tuesday 18 November 2025.
You will receive an acknowledgement to your email, and we suggest that if you don’t receive this you should contact Kate to confirm your application has been received.
All candidates’ CVs and letters will be considered by the Nominations Committee at their meeting on Tuesday 25 November 2025. Any interviews will be notified after the shortlisting date and may be by video conference.
Members of the Nominations Committee are Dame Janet Beer (Alliance Chair), Dame Sally Dicketts (Alliance Senior Independent Director), Dave Strain (Alliance Appointed Director) and Vicky Williams (LTA People Director). In addition, the Committee will be joined by the following two NGB CEOs for this selection process: Sarah Powell, British Gymnastics and Andy Salmon, Swim England.
*Please note that this recruitment process is subject to the Alliance’s new Articles of Association being adopted by the Membership at the Annual General Meeting on 12 November 2025.
Prior to completing and submitting a CV, please refer to our privacy policy.
Apply for roleClosing date: 18th November 2025
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