LTA Appoints New Chief Executive

The Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) has appointed Scott Lloyd as its new chief executive, succeeding Michael Downey, who will return to a former role at Tennis Canada, having served at the LTA since 2014.

Lloyd will formally take up his position with the governing body in January 2018, with the LTA’s current executive team to continue the day-to-day running of the organisation until Lloyd assumes the role.

Lloyd previously served as chief executive of David Lloyd Leisure – founded by his father and former tennis player, David – from 2007 to 2015 and currently serves as a non-executive deputy chairman of the health club. Scott’s uncle, John Llyod, also played Davis Cup tennis for Great Britain, reached the final of the 1977 Australian Open, and is now a regular voice on the BBC’s tennis coverage. 

The 41-year-old entrepreneur also founded Next Generations Clubs, a fitness and racquets club group, in 1997.

LTA chairman David Gregson said of the appointment: “Scott was the stand-out choice for us for several reasons. He has a deep understanding of the British tennis landscape and a clear commitment to our strategy of focussing on grassroots tennis in communities – from schools to clubs to parks.

“In addition, he has a proven record of growing and developing tennis over the last 20 years and he clearly has a deep-rooted desire to make a significant impact on our sport in the future, as we strive to make our sport even more popular and deliver on our mission to get more people playing tennis more often.

“After a rigorous search process, involving an outstanding selection of top quality candidates from across tennis, sport and business, Scott was the unanimous choice of the LTA’s Recruitment Committee.”

Lloyd added: “I am really looking forward to the challenge of taking on this fantastic job. The current success of great British players like Andy and Jamie Murray, Johanna Konta, Gordon Reid and others, is helping inspire a whole new generation to give this great sport a go.

“Over the last four years, the LTA has taken huge strides in helping tennis become more accessible and encouraging many more people into the sport at a grassroots level. However, there’s still much to do to drive British Tennis forward and I can’t wait to play my part in that very important journey.”