Commonwealth Games Federation Appoints World Rugby’s Sadleir As Ceo

The Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) has appointed Katie Sadleir as its new CEO.

Sadleir will formally join the organisation in November from World Rugby, where she is currently the General Manager of Women’s Rugby. She is a Commonwealth Games medallist and an Olympian.

Born in Scotland and raised in Canada, Sadleir represented New Zealand at the Los Angeles 1984 Olympic Games in synchronised swimming, before competing at the Edinburgh 1986 Commonwealth Games where she won a bronze medal. She also served as the Assistant Chef de Mission for New Zealand at the Victoria 1994 Commonwealth Games and has attended six editions of the multi-sport competition in various capacities. 

Prior to her role at World Rugby, which she joined in 2016, she led the establishment of the New Zealand Academy of Sport network in the late 1990s before becoming General Manager of Sport and Recreation New Zealand – which is now Sport New Zealand – from 2000-2006.

She has held directorships with both Sport New Zealand and High-Performance Sport New Zealand while she has been a Director with the International Association of Elite Sport Training Centres, a Board member of the New Zealand Swimming Federation and a member of the New Zealand Olympic Committee Athletes’ Commission.

Since 2016, she has spearheaded the global development of women’s rugby, developing and implementing the 2017-25 women’s strategic plan to promote, grow and commercialise the women’s game.

She will formally take up the CGF CEO position in November 2021, replacing David Grevemberg who stood down earlier this year.

“Following an extensive global search, the CGF are excited to be welcoming Katie Sadleir as our new Chief Executive Officer,” said Dame Louise Martin, President, the CGF.

“As a former athlete and experienced administrator across multiple sports, Katie was the outstanding candidate for the position in what was a high-quality field. 

“She will play a leading role in driving the future strategic direction of our organisation through Birmingham 2022 and beyond. 

“We look forward to Katie joining us later in the year.”

Sadleir said: “I am delighted to be taking up the CGF Chief Executive Officer role at what is very exciting time for the Commonwealth Sport Movement.

“With Birmingham 2022 fast approaching and the Games nearing its centenary in 2030, there is a fantastic opportunity to enhance our global sporting movement as one that is fully focused on community legacy, benefit and impact through sport. 

“I look forward to working with my new colleagues at the CGF, CGF Partnerships and Commonwealth Sport Foundation.

“I am also excited to closely collaborate with our Commonwealth Games Associations, International Federations, Games Organising Committees, Host City Partners and Commonwealth institutions to help achieve our collective goals.” 

World Rugby Chief Executive Alan Gilpin said: “World Rugby would like to wish Katie every success in her exciting appointment as Chief Executive of the Commonwealth Games Federation, a close partner of rugby. Katie leaves an impressive lasting legacy having successfully devised a transformational strategy to normalise, promote, grow and commercialise the women’s game. 

“As we approach the halfway mark of the women’s strategic plan, a solid platform is in place for the sport to continue to press on and make impactful change that will continue to accelerate the development of women’s rugby and women in rugby globally, cementing its place as a leader in this priority area.

“Katie, supported by all our unions and regions, has created an unstoppable movement and momentum that the rugby family will continue to harness and push forward to ensure the phenomenal advancement of women’s rugby and women in rugby continues to flourish.”

The CGF says the recruitment process was supported by global executive search and talent consulting firm SRI.