UK Athletics has announced the appointment of Anna Blackman and Edleen John as Non-Executive Directors to its Board.

Blackman, who has served as Independent Chair of the UK Athletics Audit & Risk Committee, joins the Board while continuing to chair the committee. John joins UK Athletics as a new Non-Executive Director and will also become a member of the Audit & Risk Committee.

The appointments further strengthen the Board’s expertise across governance, risk management, organisational leadership, safeguarding, people and culture, and equality, diversity and inclusion.

Anna Blackman is Chief Operating Officer at the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA). Prior to this, she spent more than 20 years at PwC, including as a Partner, specialising in risk and governance, audit, transformation, transactions and complex programmes. Blackman has chaired the UK Athletics Audit & Risk Committee since 2024 and has played an important role in strengthening governance and oversight across the organisation.

Edleen John brings extensive board-level and executive leadership experience spanning sport, governance, equality, diversity and inclusion, people and culture, international relations, and corporate affairs. She currently serves as a Non-Executive Director on several boards including Ofcom’s Advisory Committee for England and within sport holds a number of board and advisory positions including with Women in Football, British Dodgeball, the Amateur Football Alliance, UK Events Limited, and Crystal Palace Football Club.

Her executive career has included senior leadership roles at The Football Association, where she served as Director of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, International Relations and Corporate Affairs, as well as leadership positions as Director at KPMG and Vice President at Morgan Stanley.

UK Athletics Chair Ian Beattie said:

“We are delighted to welcome Anna and Edleen to the UK Athletics Board.

“Anna has already made a significant contribution through her leadership of our Audit & Risk Committee. Her extensive experience in governance, risk and organisational transformation, combined with her understanding of UK Athletics, will continue to be a tremendous asset to the Board.

“We are equally pleased to welcome Edleen, who brings a wealth of experience from across sport, regulation and membership organisations. Her expertise in governance, safeguarding, people and culture, and equality, diversity and inclusion will add valuable perspective to our discussions and decision-making.

“Anna provides valuable continuity and deep knowledge of the organisation, while Edleen brings fresh insight and a breadth of experience from across the sporting landscape. Together, they further strengthen the depth and diversity of expertise around our Board table and will help support UK Athletics as we continue to develop the sport and deliver for athletes, clubs, coaches, officials and fans across the UK.”