Leaders from all around the sector recognised the achievements of Sir Hugh Robertson last night at the annual Sport and Recreation Alliance Leadership Convention. Sir Hugh received the Emeritus Award to honour his work and contribution to sport in the UK.
Sir Hugh was both Shadow Minister for Sport and the Olympics and subsequently Minister for Sport and the Olympics for nearly a decade from 2004-2013.
The award recognises his considerable list of achievements in the sector:
• As Olympics Minister, he was the government minister with day to day responsibility for London 2012, a Games widely regarded as the best of the modern era, and one whose legacy was described as a ‘blueprint’ by the IOC.
• As Minister of Sport, he restored sport’s share of National Lottery Funding and protected the budgets of UK Sport and Sport England.
• Settling the listing of live sports events, in a way that has not been challenged subsequently
• Setting up Sport England’s Inspired and Iconic facilities fund that has improved and developed nearly 2000 community sports facilities
• Lobbying hard behind the scenes to ensure continuity of school sport funding following the end of School Sport Partnerships.
Andy Reed OBE, Chairman of the Sport and Recreation Alliance had this to say on the award and the convention.
"Sir Hugh’s award is richly-deserved. His contribution as sports minister was truly outstanding and the Emeritus Award goes some way towards acknowledging that."
Andy Reed believes that Sir Hugh is a good example of strong leadership, which the Convention celebrates.
"Sir Hugh’s attendance at our Leadership Convention serves to underline our belief in the importance of helping to develop the sporting leaders of today and tomorrow. Through events like this, where knowledge and new ideas are shared, we can encourage organisations to have the same positive impact on sport as Sir Hugh made during his successful tenures."
This year’s Leadership Convention focuses on what leaders and organisations may look like in the future, the type of skills needed to succeed, and how to deal with the ever-increasing pace of change. Content and materials that were discussed at the convention will be made available on our website.
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