UK Athletics have today announced the appointment of Donna Fraser into the role of Equality, Diversity & Engagement Lead as of January 3 2017.

Fraser carries a rich background within the sport of athletics, having competed at four consecutive Olympic Games for Great Britain as a 400m sprinter. In the time since her retirement from the sport in 2009, she has built and developed a wealth of experience as a professional within the field of equality and diversity communications.

Between the years of 2011-2015 Fraser held the position of President of the South of England Athletics Association, further building her reputation as an athletics expert from grassroots through to elite level. From 2013-2015 she also undertook the role of Chair of the Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic Network at EDF Energy.

In December of 2015 Fraser was appointed to the position of Vice President of the UK Athletics Members Council, a role she will remain in as agreed with the other members of the council.

Starting her role in January, Fraser will work for both UKA and for the organising committee of the 2017 world athletics championships in London.

Fraser’s role within UKA will be to lead the organisation’s equality and diversity commitment and implementation of their employee devised ‘company values’. Her role within London 2017 will be to ensure that accessibility is central to planning, and that appropriate procedures are in place for athletes, spectators, team services and media.

Speaking on her appointment, Fraser said:

“As someone who is deeply passionate about the existence and availability of equality, diversity and engagement programmes, I am delighted to have been offered this opportunity by UK Athletics.

“The work I have undertaken and the experience I have gained since stepping away from competing in 2009 has been invaluable, and I hope that over the next two years I can make great strides on behalf of UKA in leading, developing and implementing diversity, equality and inclusion programmes.”

“With the World Para Athletics Championships London 2017 and IAAF World Championships London 2017 taking place next summer it really is an exciting time to be a part of the organisation, and I am looking forward to hitting the ground running come January.”

Speaking on the appointment Niels de Vos, Chief Executive of UK Athletics, said:

“We’re delighted to have added someone of Donna’s calibre to the organisation ahead of an undoubtedly busy 2017 and 2018 for athletics in the UK.

“With her time split between UK Athletics and London 2017, Donna will have an important part to play for both the World Para Athletics Championships London 2017 and IAAF World Championships London 2017. With the World Indoor Championships 2018 in Birmingham also on the horizon and the sport of athletics reaching a wider audience, it is more important than ever that we as a governing body continue to build and develop upon our equality and diversity values.”