Leading Sport for Change charity, Sported, has announced that Chris Grant, CEO since February 2014, will step down in September 2018.
Under Grant’s leadership, the charity has significantly extended the services offered to more than 3,000 member clubs and groups across the UK; played a leading role in persuading policy makers and funders of the power of sport and activity to change lives and communities for the better; built ground-breaking partnerships with businesses and other charities, aimed at sustaining and strengthening local sport for change clubs and groups, and consolidated its own financial position and unique place in the sport and social change landscape.
Sported is part of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic legacy, and is the UK’s largest charity dedicated to supporting community groups using ‘Sport for Social Change’ to survive and thrive. Its 3,000 members use the power of sport to help young people facing disadvantage and challenges of many kinds to fulfil their potential. Harnessing the skills, experience and energy of more than 300 volunteers, the charity provides mentoring and a range of services and opportunities to the community clubs and groups, which are themselves mainly volunteer-led.
The Board of the charity, currently celebrating its 10th anniversary, have invited Grant to become a Non-Executive Director and Trustee.
Sir Keith Mills, Founder and Chairman of Sported, said: “I’ve been working with Chris for over ten years, the last four as Sported’s CEO, and I don’t know anybody who is more passionate or more knowledgeable about the power of sport to change lives. His leadership and drive have taken Sported to a new level. My Trustees and I look forward to continuing to work with Chris when he joins the Sported Board after a well-earned break”.
Simon Cummins, Head of the Sports Practice at the Executive Search firm Odgers Berndtson, has also been appointed to the Board. Deputy CEO, Tom Burstow, will act as interim CEO until the substantive post is filled.