CCPR welcomes appointment of new Sport England Chair

CCPR today welcomed the appointment of Richard Lewis as the new Chair of Sport England. Richard will join Sport England on 1 April 2009 at which time he will relinquish his executive duties at the Rugby Football League. He will also step down from his duties as chair of CCPR’s Major Spectator Sports Division when he takes up his new post.

Tim Lamb, CCPR chief executive, says that governing and representative bodies will be reassured that someone who has worked in sport for so long will be taking up such an important role.

"I am sure Richard will prove to be an excellent appointment. He has worked in sport for more than 30 years and knows the sector inside and out. He knows what it takes to run a governing body of sport and in particular he will understand exactly what levers he has to pull in order to deliver on the Government’s participation ambitions.

"Sport England has got some tough targets to meet and it will be vital to have someone who understands sport to make the progress that’s required. Richard can hit the ground running and that will give him a real advantage.

"Jennie Price and her interim chair have done a great job in steering Sport England through a difficult phase but Richard’s appointment will, I’m sure, add new momentum to the organisation, particularly at such an important time in the run-up to 2012."