Sported Names New Ceo As Mills Departs

30 Apr 2019 | Rob Ridley

Share on

Sported has appointed Nicola Walker as its new Chief Executive, with Sir Keith Mills to step down as chairman 10 years after founding the sport for development charity.

Walker takes over from Chris Grant, who left the position last year. She brings a strong commercial focus having spent most of her career in the development of consumer-driven products and services.

Prior to joining Sported, Walker was Chief Commercial Officer at data-tech company InfoSum and was previously VP of Global Product Strategy at coalition loyalty company Aimia. She was a founding director of Nectar and has held senior operational roles developing Tesco Clubcard and Avios.

Walker said: “Our groups make a huge difference in the lives of young people and their local communities. I look forward to drawing on my commercial experience to attract investment and partnerships into the sector to help these vital community groups survive and thrive.”

Over the past decade, Mills and his family have donated over £10m to Sported and its members, and have built the largest membership network of community groups using sport for development in the UK. To honour his achievements, Mills will be made a Life Patron of the charity.

Mills was International President and CEO of London 2012, the company that successfully won the bid for the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, before beocming Deputy Chairman of LOCOG, the event’s organising committee.

Simon Cummins, Managing Partner of Global Sports Practice at the executive search firm Odgers Berndtson, has formally taken over the role of Chairman of Trustees at Sported.

Cummins said: “Through Sported, Sir Keith Mills has left a remarkable legacy. Over the last 10 years he has committed a significant amount of his own money and time to grassroots sports, and it’s safe to say that without his support many community groups would not be still here today. I’m passionate about the role of sport in society and am excited to be in a position where I can help more young people, especially from deprived areas, benefit from sport in their community.”