Sport England has today announced Tim Hollingsworth will step down as chief executive in July 2025, after more than six years in the role.

Responding to the announcement, Youth Sport Trust Chief Executive Ali Oliver MBE said: “We are incredibly grateful to Tim for his leadership not just of Sport England, but as a leading and influential voice representing our sector as a whole. As Sport England’s Chief Executive, Tim has led the way in uniting the movement and reinforcing what we can achieve when we work together, articulating the integral role of sport and physical activity in developing thriving individuals and communities. This has included being an advocate for physical activity as part of the response to the Covid-19 pandemic, supporting our sector to recover subsequently and continuing to highlight the long-term impact of lockdowns on the wellbeing of the nation's children. Whilst there is much work still to be done, Tim will leave with our sector well placed for the future.

“At Youth Sport Trust, we want to particularly thank Tim for his relentless focus on increasing children and young people’s physical activity levels throughout his time at Sport England. Sharing our understanding of the important role of physical activity during childhood in building a healthier, more active and cohesive society, Tim has ensured children’s needs, particularly those from under-served communities, have been at the forefront of our sector’s collective vision for progress. At a time when inequality is deepening, and a generation is crying out for a better future, Tim can be proud he has done his bit in advocating for the power of sport and play to develop happier and healthier children and young people.

“We look forwarding to building on the momentum developed under Tim with his successor, and extend all our best wishes to him for the future.”