ukactive Chair Mike Farrar to step down

Mike Farrar is stepping down as Chair of ukactive after being appointed interim Permanent Secretary of the Department of Health in Northern Ireland. Farrar will be taking up his new role in April 2025, following his final appearance as ukactive Chair at Active Uprising 2025 on 6 March.

He was named ukactive Chair in June 2022, taking over the role from Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson. During his tenure, he has been credited with helping to grow the sector’s relationship with the NHS and care services, including the co-design of a new blueprint for integrated care systems.

Farrar’s new role will see him replacing the current Permanent Secretary, Peter May, who is retiring from the Northern Ireland Civil Service.

The recruitment of a new ukactive Chair will be overseen by ukactive’s Treasurer, Katy Cox, who will also act as interim Chair until Farrar’s successor is appointed.

Farrar said: “It has been a privilege to be Chair of ukactive and play a part in shaping the future of this fantastic organisation and sector.

I wish to thank my colleagues, our partners and all ukactive’s members for supporting this important period in our journey and strategy for growth.

“I am confident that I will leave the Board, the organisation and the sector in a strong position to continue our growth and realise our vision for physical activity in the UK.”

Huw Edwards, CEO of ukactive, said: “Mike has been a tremendous ally for the organisation and the sector, instrumental in driving forward the work to integrate the physical activity sector with the health and care sector.”