The Institute of Sport and Recreation Management
Institute of Sport and Recreation Management appoints new Chief Executive
Sean Holt, former London and South East Regional Director for Sport England, will take over as Chief Executive of the Institute of Sport and Recreation Management (ISRM) on 1 December. The announcement was made at the ISRM’s annual conference at Alton Towers Resort last week.
Speaking about the appointment, Marc Newey, Chairman of ISRM, said: “This is a very significant step for ISRM. We are delighted to have appointed someone who we feel will build on the good work that our current CEO Ralph Riley has carried out for 20 years, and at the same time help us to address the opportunities and challenges facing our organisation and the sports sector as a whole.
"Of great importance, of course, is our work towards the establishment of a Chartered Institute of Sport which we see as crucial to ensuring that high professional standards in the industry are maintained and improved."
"Sean’s impressive breadth of experience in so many aspects of the sports and recreation sector – from strategy, policy and advocacy, through to project delivery will add so much to our organisation and I look forward to a very productive working relationship with him."
Sean Holt’s career spans over 20 years. A graduate of the Carnegie School of Physical Education, Sean has worked in local government as a Sports Centre Manager and Leisure Development Manager. In 1996 he joined the then GB Sports Council as a Senior Facilities Development Manager, where he worked on the new National Stadium at Wembley. As the Head of Special Projects and Major Events, Sean worked with both Manchester City Council and the Games Organising Committee as a member of the Board to oversee the development of the Manchester “Sportcity” complex and the successful delivery of the 2002 Commonwealth Games.
In his final six years at Sport England he was Regional Director for the South East and until earlier this year Regional Director for London where he had specific responsibility for the Olympic legacy working with the GLA and LOCOG. Sean is experienced in strategic development and policy making, sports management and partnership building. His most recent role was as Interim Director of Partnerships at the Amateur Swimming Association where he recruited Swimming Coordinators in each English County to help support the Government’s Free Swimming Initiative. Amongst his many achievements, he was responsible for the South East Plan for Sport 2004 -08 and for commissioning the Olympic Legacy Plan for London. Whilst in London he developed the five sub-regional sports partnerships and 33 community sports networks. Sean also launched the Inclusive and Active Plan for disability sport and secured an additional £1m of investment into the London Youth Games. He brings to ISRM his relationships with key agencies and individuals in central and local government and in sport.
Commenting on his appointment Sean Holt said:
"I am absolutely delighted to be joining the ISRM at such a crucial point in its history. I am looking forward to working with the Chairman, Marc Newey, the Board of Trustees and the staff to deliver high quality, added value services to our members. These are exciting times for the ISRM with the formation of the Chartered Institute of Sport on the horizon and I therefore intend to ensure that all our partners, stakeholders and members have a say in its development so that the industry has one coherent voice, which is truly representative."
Sean is a former non executive director of Culture South East and Tourism South East and until 2007 a member of the South East Regional Assembly. He is married with four children and a passionate supporter of Preston North End!
He replaces Ralph Riley who steps down from the post mid December but will remain working for the organisation as a contracted technical adviser.
Further information please contact Pall Mall Consult: Catherine Nestor, tel: 020 7930 3581 or Emily Dearden, tel: 020 7930 3562.
Notes to Editors
1. ISRM: The Institute of Sport and Recreation Management is the national professional body for sport and recreation management in the UK. Founded in 1921, the institute has a membership of 2344 qualified sport and recreation specialists employed at all levels in the industry from front line managers to heads of companies, organisations and local authority departments. Its key objective is to provide opportunities for participation in sport and other recreational activities to benefit public health.