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The English Federation of Disability Sport Appoints New Chair of Trustees

Wednesday 4th February 2009

The Minister for Sport has welcomed the appointment of Professor David Croisdale-Appleby OBE as new Chair of Trustees at The English Federation of Disability Sport.

Speaking shortly after the appointment, Gerry Sutcliffe MP said: "David has extensive and valuable experience in leading commercial organisations to success, but also in health and social care. His track record in the disability field will be invaluable in broadening the involvement of disabled people in sport. There are many great opportunities ahead, especially if we are to make the most of the once in a lifetime chance offered by the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games to get more people taking part in sport. I wish him every success in his new role."

David will play a key role in shaping the direction of the charity and driving it forward, and succeeds Bernard Atha CBE, who steps down after ten years.

A corporate strategist, David will play a central role in shaping the direction of the charity and driving it forward. David is a strategic advisor to the Boards of many UK organisations. For many years he was a CEO of a number of advertising agencies and multinational communication groups. He is highly active in policy formulation in health and social care.

David is an Honorary Professor at the Wolfson Research Institute and at the School of Medicine & Health at Durham University, and Professor of Corporate Strategy at Durham Business School. He has led several NHS Trusts including the host Trust for the National Spinal Injuries Centre at Stoke Mandeville, and was a Board Member of the NHS Confederation. He chairs the National Institute for Clinical Excellence Programme Development Group developing national guidelines for long term sickness and incapacity, and chairs the Council for the Registration of Forensic Practitioners.

He campaigns relentlessly for social justice, and serves as Chairman of Skills for Care, the sector skills council; Yarrow Housing (learning disabilities and acquired brain injury); Charities Evaluation Services; the Radian Group which includes the specialised care organisation Turnstone, and serves other charities such as the Colin Javens Spinal Injury Trust which raises money for spinal injuries research at Stoke Mandeville. He is also a Magistrate.

Commenting on his role at EFDS David said: “The Government has tasked EFDS to increase the participation of disabled people in sport from 7% in 2008 to 11% by 2013. I am delighted to take up the challenge and work towards this end, by increasing the profile and accessibility of sport for disabled people through partners at international, national and regional level.”

Said Bernard Atha "I am delighted to hand over the position of the chair of this crucially important organisation to Professor Croisdale-Appleby and I am sure he will take the English Federation of Disability Sport to new levels of success."

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