We've appointed Angela Balakrishnan as our new Executive Director for Policy and Communications, completing our new Executive Leadership Team.
Angela is a strategic communications leader with 20 years’ experience across communications, public affairs and journalism.
She joins us from the Information Commissioner’s Office, where she led its award-winning communications and public affairs directorate for the last five years.
Prior to that, she held senior communications roles across government, working on major national and international issues including the Ebola crisis, Syria conflict and the introduction of shared parental leave.
Simon Hayes, our chief executive, said: "I’m delighted to welcome Angela to Sport England and complete our new Executive Leadership Team.
"Angela brings an outstanding combination of strategic communications, public affairs and leadership experience, alongside a deep understanding of how to connect organisations with the people and communities they serve.
"Her experience across government, regulation, media and the voluntary sector will be hugely valuable as we continue to champion the role sport and physical activity can play in improving lives across the country."
Alongside her executive career, Angela is Vice President of Women in PR and has previously served on the board of the Asian Communications Network and chaired the UK Regulators Network of Communication Directors.
"I’m thrilled to be joining Sport England at such an important moment for the organisation and the wider sport and physical activity sector," she said.
"Sport has a unique ability to bring people together, improve lives and tackle some of the biggest challenges we face nationally.
"I’m excited to bring policy and communications together – using insight, creativity and collaboration – to tell Sport England’s story, build relationships within the sector and beyond, and help ensure its work delivers real impact for people and communities."
Angela’s appointment follows last month’s announcement of Nick Percy as Executive Director for Investments and Amy Rice as Executive Director for Resources,and completes our new Executive Leadership Team.
The team also includes Phil Smith, Executive Director for the Sporting System, and Lisa Dodd-Mayne, Executive Director for Partnerships and Place.