ukactive has opened a new role on its Board for a Non-Executive Director to support its commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) in the physical activity sector.
The successful candidate will provide advice and support for ukactive’s internal and external action plans for EDI as well as helping the sector to address health inequalities in communities.
The new role comes at a pivotal time, with ukactive recently publishing new milestones as part of its Vision 2030 strategy. The long-term plan aims to get at least five million new users active in members’ facilities, from a greater diversity of backgrounds.
A central part of the strategy is driving positive change within the sector to improve access to physical activity for people from all backgrounds, ages, and abilities.
The new Board member will have a pivotal role in aligning ukactive’s inclusion programme, which includes:
• Everyone Can, a programme that aims to narrow the disparities facing disabled people within the physical activity sector;
• The collaboration with This Girl Can, an initiative helping to engage more women and girls in physical activity and creating safer spaces for them to be active;
• Life In Our Years, a programme that identifies what over-55s want from the fitness and leisure sector with recommended steps to promote their participation;
• And the musculoskeletal (MSK) health hubs, a pioneering programme transforming leisure centres and facilities into health hubs for those with MSK conditions.
ukactive is looking for an individual with expertise in inequality (including trends, developments in UK-based inequality and the impact of physical activity on health inequality), and an understanding of what it takes to make physical activity more accessible to under-represented groups and communities.
Strong leadership skills, with experience in providing strong governance and constructive challenge, are also key requirements for the role.
Mike Farrar, Chair of ukactive, said: “We want the physical activity sector to become the most welcoming sector, with inclusivity at its core.
“This non-executive role will support a key strategic priority for the business, reinforcing our commitment to Vision 2030 and ensuring that physical activity can be accessed and enjoyed by all – something that can improve the lives of millions and support the health of the nation in the process.
“Equal access to healthcare has been a guiding principle throughout my NHS career and this new position on the ukactive Board will ensure that diversity and inclusion runs through every aspect of our industry, organisation and the governance that we provide as a trade body.”
To find out more about the role, click here. Applications will close on Thursday 31 August.