Organisation
Commonwealth Games England
Salary
Not remunerated, however reasonable travel expenses will be paid
Location
Quarterly in-person Board meetings are mostly held in London
Contract type
Volunteer
Closing date
20 May 2026
Interview date
8 June 2026
A pivotal moment to join
Commonwealth Games England is one of only six nations to have competed at every edition of the Commonwealth Games and Commonwealth Youth Games — a distinction that speaks to the depth, heritage and standing of Team England on the world stage.
This is an extraordinary moment to join the Board. The Commonwealth Games in Glasgow are weeks away.
Beyond Glasgow, the eyes of the Commonwealth movement turn to Ahmedabad in 2030 — the Centenary Games — and the four years between now and then represent a defining window for CGE to grow its commercial foundations, broaden its relevance, and deliver against an ambitious new strategy.
The Commercial NED will play a central role in shaping that journey.
About Commonwealth Games England
CGE is responsible for all matters relating to the Commonwealth Games in England, including the leadership and management of the Team England athletes who represent the nation at the Games. We work in close partnership with each sport's National Governing Body and our funding partner, Sport England.
Our new strategy to 2030 — Representing England at its Sporting Best — broadens our vision beyond the podium. It commits CGE to four key priority pillars:
1. Representative team — develop a diverse team that represents the best of our nation, to deliver success for Team England
2. Exceptional environment — create a team environment that empowers great performances
3. Sustainable future — make choices that prioritise sustainability for CGE, our team members and our supporters
4. Reach and relevance — increase the reach and relevance of Commonwealth Sport in England
Delivering this strategy will require a step-change in how CGE generates, diversifies and protects its commercial income. That is where this appointment comes in.
About the role
The Commercial NED will play a hands-on role in supporting the Executive Team — providing commercial insight, constructive challenge, and an external perspective to shape strategy, unlock growth opportunities, and support delivery of CGE's 2030 targets.
Specifically, the successful candidate will:
* Help guide and advise the Executive Team and Board on maximising income opportunities
* Actively contribute to the development of new commercial partnerships
* Support the diversification of CGE's income sources to build long-term financial resilience
* Sit as an active contributor on the Commercial and Communications sub-group of the Board
As with all Non-Executive Directors at CGE, the role also carries broader Board responsibilities including:
* Strategy — establishing and monitoring the overall strategic direction of CGE
* Specialist input — sharing commercial expertise and networks for the benefit of the organisation
* Performance — monitoring the performance of the Executive Team and the Board
* People — providing independent views on appointments and remuneration
* Advocacy — acting as an effective ambassador for CGE and sport in the UK
* Independence, governance and compliance — upholding the highest standards of corporate governance and ensuring CGE meets all statutory and public funding requirements
Who we're looking for
We are seeking a senior commercial leader with a strong track record of building successful partnerships and maximising commercial income — someone who can bring fresh thinking and a proven commercial playbook to one of the UK's most recognisable sporting brands.
Experience within the sports sector is not essential, but a genuine passion for sport is. We welcome applications from leaders across consumer brands, media and broadcast, technology, financial services, FMCG, hospitality, partnerships, sponsorship, retail, and beyond.
Candidates will be asked to demonstrate:
* Strategic skills — the ability to analyse complex issues and think clearly, strategically and laterally; an understanding of policy issues and the concerns of stakeholders and the public; independence of view, and the confidence to offer constructive challenge when appropriate
* Influencing and communication skills — the ability to promote clear understanding of complex subjects; build and maintain relationships quickly with a range of stakeholders; and operate effectively at the most senior levels
* Team working and collaboration — the ability to work effectively alongside other Board members, participate in robust and rigorous debate, and communicate to reach consensus
* Innovation and future thinking — a proven track record of creating and shaping innovative solutions to commercial challenges, by understanding future needs
The current Board, chaired by John Steele OBE, brings together a wide range of skills, experience and networks — including President Dame Laura Kenny DBE, CEO Mark Osikoya, and a roster of NEDs from sport, business, government and broadcast. This appointment is intended to complement and balance the existing Board's expertise.
What you'll bring — and what you'll gain
This is a rare opportunity to shape the commercial direction of a much-loved national sporting institution at a defining moment in its history. The successful candidate will:
* Help define how Team England goes to market commercially in the run-up to Glasgow 2026 and Ahmedabad 2030
* Sit alongside a Board of exceptional calibre, including Olympic and Commonwealth gold medallists, FTSE-level operators, and senior public-sector leaders
* Attend and experience the Commonwealth Games first-hand as part of the Team England delegation
* Contribute to a strategy with genuine breadth — sport, sustainability, representation, and national relevance
Diversity & inclusion
Commonwealth Games England is an equal opportunities organisation and is committed to building a Board that represents the best of our nation. We welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds and actively encourage applications from those who are currently under-represented at Board level in UK sport.
How to apply
To apply, please send your CV and a covering note explaining why you are applying for the role and the value you would bring to Commonwealth Games England.
Email applications and any enquiries to: teamengland@eisg.com
️ Closing date: 5pm, Wednesday 20 May 2026
The recruitment process is being managed on behalf of Commonwealth Games England by The Executives In Sport Group (EISG).