CGF President resigns from Birmingham 2022 board over diversity concerns

Dame Louise Martin will be replaced on the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games board by Sandra Osborne after it was criticised for a lack of diversity.

The Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) president resigned following discussions on the lack of representation and diversity within senior management roles.

An open letter signed by 51 prominent figures from across Birmingham was recently published and called for the issue to be addressed.

There had not been any specific calls for Martin to step down but it is understood she had been considering doing so for several months.

Osborne, CGF legal advisor and president of the Barbados Commonwealth Games Association and Olympic Association, has been selected to replace Dame Louise.

A CGF statement said: “Sandra is an inspiring Commonwealth sporting leader, based in the Caribbean, and sits on the CGF Executive Board as the legal advisor and chairs the Governance and Integrity Committee.

“Besides being President of the Barbados Commonwealth Games Association and Olympic Association, she is also a prominent sports lawyer and chair of the International Tennis Federation Ethics Commission.

“She will therefore bring a wealth of skills, experience and new perspectives to this important role.

“The CGF is proud that our organisation reflects the diversity of the Commonwealth Sport Movement and that we have a person of Sandra’s calibre to actively contribute on the Birmingham 2022 Board.

“The CGF supports the renewed commitment of the Birmingham 2022 Organising Committee to ensure that its governance and management fully reflects the diversity of the city and region.

“Dame Louise will continue to play an active role in the supporting preparations for the staging of Birmingham 2022.”

 

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