The conversation around governance in sport has shifted. Today’s boards are expected not only to provide effective stewardship, but to help organisations respond to change, manage complexity and deliver lasting value for the communities they serve.
A partnership built on leadership excellence
The significance of these appointments was captured by Alex Jordan, Chair of Skateboard GB, who said:
“We are thrilled to welcome Marta, Natalie and Sarah to the Board. Each brings exceptional experience, insight and passion that will help guide Skateboard GB through its next phase of growth.
Their appointments follow a rigorous recruitment process led by GatenbySanderson, and we are grateful for their support in helping us secure such outstanding leaders. I look forward to working closely with all three as we continue to champion skateboarding across the UK.”
For us, this speaks to the value of looking beyond traditional appointment criteria and focusing on leadership capability, cultural alignment and long-term organisational impact. The strongest boards are built not simply through individual expertise, but through a combination of perspectives that strengthen governance, support executive teams and help organisations navigate future challenges with confidence.
This reflects a pattern we see across public services, where organisations are increasingly seeking leaders who can bring diverse perspectives, navigate complexity and deliver meaningful outcomes for the communities they serve.
Governance is no longer just about oversight
Strong governance remains fundamental, but the role of a board today extends far beyond compliance and assurance. The most effective boards create the conditions for organisational success. They provide challenge when needed, support executive leadership through complexity and help organisations remain focused on long-term outcomes rather than short-term pressures.
Across the sport sector, leaders are operating in an environment shaped by evolving participant expectations, shifting funding models, increased scrutiny, technological change and growing demands around inclusion, integrity and impact. Many are also leading organisations through significant transformation, partnership working and structural change, placing even greater importance on effective governance and leadership.
The value of diverse leadership around the board table
What stands out about these appointments is not simply the calibre of the individuals involved, but the breadth of experience they collectively bring.
- Marta Phillips OBE brings more than 40 years’ experience across finance, governance and public service leadership. Having held senior roles across government, health, higher education and social housing, she offers significant expertise in organisational stewardship, accountability and sustainable growth.
- Natalie Dunman is one of the UK’s most respected high-performance leaders. Her experience across British Bobsleigh, British Skeleton, UK Sport and the English Institute of Sport provides Skateboard GB with deep expertise in talent development, performance systems and building environments capable of delivering success at the highest level.
- Sarah Mortiboys has built an impressive career across sport, charities and community organisations, leading complex partnerships, large-scale programmes and social impact initiatives. Her ability to bring people together around a common purpose will be invaluable as Skateboard GB continues to expand its reach and influence.
Increasingly, the strongest boards are those that draw on experience from beyond their immediate sector. Leaders who have operated across public services, commercial environments, elite sport and the not-for-profit sector often bring fresh perspectives that help organisations challenge established thinking and respond to change more effectively.
At GatenbySanderson, we see first-hand the value of this cross-sector approach.
Broadening the talent pool enables organisations to strengthen governance, improve decision-making and build leadership teams that are equipped to meet complex future challenges. For organisations seeking to improve performance, resilience and sustainability, this diversity of thought is increasingly important. Effective boards require more than technical expertise; they need leaders who can challenge assumptions, ask difficult questions and contribute fresh insights drawn from different sectors and experiences.
Leadership appointments that create long term value
We often talk about leadership impact, whether appointing a Chair, Chief Executive or Non-Executive Director, the real measure of success is not the appointment itself. It is the difference that individual goes on to make. For sporting organisations, strong Board leadership can influence everything from organisational culture and stakeholder confidence to financial sustainability, participation growth and performance outcomes. The best appointments strengthen decision-making, improve governance, and help organisations remain focused on purpose whilst adapting to change.
Effective leadership is about more than technical expertise or sector knowledge. The most successful board appointments combine experience with the behaviours needed to lead through complexity: sound judgement, collaborative leadership, intellectual curiosity and the ability to influence across diverse stakeholder groups. As organisations face increasingly complex operating environments, understanding both capability and leadership behaviours has become a critical part of building high-performing boards and executive teams.
Ultimately, they create greater public value. That is particularly important in sport, where organisations are often balancing multiple priorities: supporting communities, developing talent, improving wellbeing, driving inclusion and delivering performance excellence, often with finite resources and growing expectations.
Supporting the future of sport leadership
The successful appointments at Skateboard GB are an excellent example of an organisation investing in the capabilities it will need for the future. As the governing body continues to expand its reach and influence across community participation and performance pathways, these leaders will bring experience, challenge and strategic insight that can support sustainable growth and long-term success. We are proud to have partnered with Skateboard GB throughout this process.
The assignment was led by Rebecca Hopkin and Peter Buffoni from GatenbySanderson’s Sport Practice, working closely with the organisation to identify leaders whose experience, values and leadership approach aligned with its ambitions for the future. Their work reflects a broader commitment across our Sport Practice: helping organisations identify leaders who can strengthen governance, build organisational capability and deliver meaningful impact for the people and communities they serve.
Looking ahead
The strongest organisations recognise that leadership and governance are not static. As expectations continue to evolve, boards must regularly assess whether they have the experience, perspectives and capabilities needed for future success. Whether considering a Board refresh, strengthening governance capability or planning for future leadership needs, taking a proactive approach to leadership is increasingly becoming a strategic advantage.
To discuss the challenges facing your organisation, connect with:
Rebecca Hopkin, Consultant, Sport Practice
Peter Buffoni, Partner & Practice Lead, Sport
Or explore how GatenbySanderson supports organisations across sport and public services:
Supporting organisations to build effective boards requires more than a search process, it demands an understanding of leadership, governance, organisational culture and future capability needs. Drawing on expertise from across our Leadership & Talent consultancy and public sector teams, we help organisations identify leaders who can deliver impact today whilst preparing for the challenges of tomorrow.