The Sported Foundation appoints Chris Grant as new Chief Executive

The Sported Foundation, the UK’s largest Sport for Development charity, is delighted to announce the appointment of Chris Grant as its new Chief Executive.

Grant joins Sported with over 20 years’ experience in the fields of strategy and performance, programme management, coaching and change. As Chief Executive, Grant will be responsible for the strategic leadership and growth of the charity, in addition to the on-going development of Sported’s membership offering. Sported currently supports over 2,800 grassroots sports clubs which deliver Sport for Development programmes; the development of its services will ensure its members continue to have access to the highest quality services and tools to facilitate their growth, improve their effectiveness, and most importantly, change more young lives through sport.

Sported’s long-standing aim to professionalise and champion the Sport for Development sector will continue to be served through the cultivation of existing partnerships, and attracting new partners and investment through evidence-based advocacy.
Grant’s experience leading organisations spans a broad spectrum of industries. He chaired the Board of the Chip & PIN Programme – one of the UK’s most successful complex multi-stakeholder projects of recent years. He was also Vice Chairman of the International Inspiration Foundation, the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic International Development Programme, which has reached more than 15 million children and young people in 20 countries.

Grant is involved in the development of a number of leading sport organisations, acting as the Lead Facilitator on UK Sport’s Elite Coach Development Programme and sitting on the Board of both the Youth Sport Trust and IN Foundation. His voluntary work also includes the delivery of a sustained and profound legacy from London 2012 in the form of the FRE Flyers - a revolutionary multisport club he personally founded for young people in the East of London.

Sir Keith Mills, Founder and Chairman of Trustees of Sported, said: “I am delighted to welcome Chris to Sported. He has a strong track record leading organisations and implementing change, but more importantly, through his experience at International Inspiration, Youth Sport Trust and FRE Flyers, a comprehensive understanding of the Sport for Development sector and the challenges of our members. His knowledge, industry contacts and facilitation skills will be a huge asset for Sported and I am confident that under his leadership the charity will go from strength-to-strength.”

Chris Grant, newly appointed Chief Executive at Sported, comments: “As a passionate advocate for the power of sport to change lives, it is fantastic to be joining Sported. The charity helps some amazing sporting projects, enjoys support from some of the leading names in the industry and is committed to demonstrating the importance and effectiveness of Sport for Development programmes.”

He adds: “I honestly believe that there is no greater catalyst and tool to achieve progress across the spectrum of challenges and opportunities facing our communities than sport. The work that our members and mentors are doing in their local communities is already changing the lives of thousands of young people around the UK. But they need more support, and we need to demonstrate to government and to the public that every pound sensibly invested in Sport for Development will deliver a significant cost saving to society – not to mention all the less measurable benefits such as improved employability, health and well-being.”

Chris Grant replaces Adam Parr, who steps down to pursue other career opportunities. Parr will continue to support Sported’s growth as a member of its fundraising committee.

Sported was founded in 2008 by Sir Keith Mills GBE, former Deputy Chairman of LOCOG, as his personal commitment to deliver the legacy promises of the London 2012 Games.