Sector leadership ‘becoming more diverse’

The representation of disabled people and those from culturally or ethnically diverse backgrounds on boards of UK sports and physical activity organisations has increased in the past four years.

Figures from the Diversity in Sport Governance 2024 report – published on 19 December – shows that the percentage of individuals from culturally or ethnically diverse backgrounds on boards of sports organisations has increased from 7.9% to 15.1% since 2020.

Among those identifying with having a disability or long-term health condition the figures have gone from 13.0% to 16.1%.

Commissioned by UK Sport and Sport England, the report was conducted by Perrett Laver and provides a detailed breakdown of the makeup of more boards and senior leadership teams of sports organisations.

Among other key findings is that gender representation on boards is now 57.4% male and 40.8% female, compared to 56.2% and 43.2% in 2020, respectively. Meanwhile, there has been a marginal increase in those reporting as non-binary (0.3% compared to 0.1%) and those preferring not to say (1.2% compared to 0.1%).

Commenting on the report, UK Sport CEO, Sally Munday, said she “welcomed the insight” – but acknowledged that there is more to be done.

“As our collective awareness of the barriers that some groups face in accessing sport and physical activity improves, it’s more important than ever to ensure that there are people with lived experiences in decision-making positions who are championing under-represented groups,” Munday said.