Gillian Wilmot announced as new Chair of sports coach UK

Gillian Wilmot has been announced as the new Chair for sports coach UK.

Gillian takes over from Chris Baillieu MBE. She has strong experience of leadership in both large and small organisations across the private and public sectors.

Gillian is an experienced Chairman & Non-Executive Director and was recognised for governance excellence in the 2014 Sunday Times NED Awards. She runs Board Mentoring which works with CEOs and directors of leading UK and international companies. In 2012, she was appointed to the Industrial Development Advisory Board which advises Government on large investment projects and provides independent business advice to Ministers.

In all her leadership roles, including Board Mentoring and IWF UK, Gillian encourages communication, collaboration and support among women leaders. She is committed to bringing more women and under-represented groups into coaching, building their confidence and expanding their contribution to coaching through to elite levels.

Gillian’s executive career included launching the ground-breaking Next Directory and starting the transformation and turnaround of the Royal Mail. More recently, she has worked with with tech entrepreneurs and start-ups and her portfolio includes energy, tech and store and on-line retail. Gillian speaks on leadership, coaching and business issues and often comments on topical issues on TV and radio.

Her participative sporting interests include sailing, windsurfing, snowsports, swimming, golf and tennis. She enjoys watching a wide range of sports including rugby.

Commenting on her new role, Gillian said: “Sport has a critical role to play in all our lives which is recognised in the new government strategy for sport. Within this, coaching has a critical role to play in achieving a transformation in the health and fitness of the whole of society. I’m looking forward to developing the new sports coach UK strategy, based on our sound foundation of excellence in research, innovation and the technical expertise of our team.”