WIREDGOV

Government hosts its second high-powered networking event aimed at inspiring businesswomen to join sports’ boards

More than 120 senior sports administrators and businesswomen gathered at the Tower of London on Monday 9 March for an event designed to encourage more women with a corporate background to take up positions on sports’ boards.

The government-hosted event was an opportunity for women from organisations including Clifford Chance, Bank of America and Google to meet senior individuals from a wide range of sports organisations to discuss how working together could prove beneficial.

Chaired by the England and Wales Cricket Board’s Head of Women’s Cricket, Clare Connor, guests heard discussions on a range of topics with panelists including Jennie Price (Sport England), Helena Morrissey CBE, Liz Nicholl (UK Sport), Bill James (Triathlon England), Leigh Hine (PSD Group) and Karen Neale (England Athletics).

The key message from the day was that not only sportswomen or those that have experience in the sector are successful candidates for sports’ boards.

Case studies of women that have made the move from the corporate sector to sports’ boards were handed out at the event.

Minister for Sport and Tourism, Helen Grant, said:

“Sport plays a vital role in the economy and culture of the UK and female athletes are increasingly matching and surpassing their male colleagues in the medal counts.

“But it is equally important to have women represented in the boardrooms, and I want to see more women on the boards of governing bodies to really help shape sport.

“Their skills, knowledge and talents, whether it be from a sport or corporate background, are hugely valuable.”

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