We’ve appointed Viveen Taylor as our first director of equality, diversity and inclusion.
The new role will be dedicated to ensuring everyone is able to enjoy the benefits of being physically active regardless of their background.
Viveen will also be working to ensure that those who lead and deliver sport and physical activity in England reflect the nation they serve.
She said: “I’m truly delighted to be appointed to the role at such a pivotal point in time as we commit to addressing inequalities.
“It’s a huge role and it’s going to be challenging and difficult at times, but I’m not daunted or phased by what’s to come.”
Viveen joined us in August 2018 and has been heading up our work to help people in lower socio-economic groups to live more active lives, after an extensive career helping marginalised and disadvantaged communities.
Passionate about social justice, she started her career in local government in Manchester before moving to lead Hulme City Challenge, one of the government’s first regeneration programmes, supporting single parent families move into work.
This was followed by a move to the voluntary sector where, over a course of more than 25 years, she's actively engaged and supported excluded communities to not only have a voice, but to empower them to create lasting change.
Her appointment comes just days after we placed tackling inequalities at the heart of our new 10-year Uniting the Movement strategy and is part of our work to give opportunities to people who may otherwise miss out on being physically active.