Public affairs professional Jack Baker, policy specialist Katie Fawkner-Corbett and Lawyer Richard Gray join the organisation as Elected Directors, each with a passion for getting more people active at this vital time for our sector.
Jack joined the Lawn Tennis Association in April 2019, and is currently Head of Public Policy, responsible for all public affairs, policy and government engagement for the organisation.
Working across the UK, Welsh and Scottish Governments and Parliaments, he supports tennis in Britain from the grassroots through to the professional game, building advocacy, engagement and support for the LTA’s work. Prior to his role at the LTA, Jack worked for a sports-focused public affairs consultancy, where his role centred on supporting All-Party Parliamentary Groups for sport in Parliament.
Jack said: “Sport plays a critical role in supporting the physical and mental health and wellbeing of the nation, bringing communities together and enriching people’s lives.
“I’m excited to be joining the Board of the Sport and Recreation Alliance, and am looking forward to working with other Board members and the Alliance team to champion the contribution of sport to society, and ensure the organisation represents and promotes the interests of its members effectively.”
Katie has worked in healthcare regulation since 2016, and is a strong advocate of evidence-based policy-making and ensuring decisions represent value for money.
As well as this, she has worked with various government departments and stakeholders on consultations, secondary legislation, and strategy development and implementation, from both within and outside the civil service.
She has spent her career in social policy, working for the government for a number of years before moving into a more strategy-based role at the General Medical Council.
Katie said: “I am thrilled to be joining the Sport and Recreation Alliance as a Non-Executive Director. With school-age daughters, I am particularly excited about the current momentum behind female sport and hope to see that translated into many more opportunities throughout their lifetime.
“I look forward to learning more about our members and enabling people from all walks of life to benefit mentally and physically from doing things they love.
Richard is a lawyer whose career included senior positions in the legal and financial services sectors in the UK and Asia.
He also has extensive governance experience and is a trustee/director of a number of other organisations in the voluntary sector, including his role as Chair of Active Surrey – members of the Alliance.
Richard said: “I am delighted to be joining the Sport and Recreation Alliance. I passionately believe in the benefits of sport and recreation both for individuals and also our communities.
“Sport and recreation should be easily available and accessible by everyone in our nation and I hope to play my part in promoting and facilitating that.
Dame Janet Beer, Chair of the Alliance, added: “I am delighted to welcome Jack, Katie and Richard to the Board, and know that our members and our sector will benefit greatly from the extensive experience and knowledge that each of them will bring to their role.
“These appointments come at a time of great importance for our sector as we look to weather the cost of living crisis and continue to bounce back from Covid-19.
“Our new Board members will undoubtably bring fresh perspectives, insights and energy to the table that will be an enormous asset to our organisation and I look forward to working with them all as we continue to support the health and wellbeing of the nation.”
