The Executive Team

Mark Osikoya

Chief Executive

Mark Osikoya took up his role as CEO at Commonwealth Games England in March 2023. 

He joined the team after eight years at the National Basketball Association where he headed up the global partnership team in the EME region. Prior to working at the NBA, he headed up sponsorship at Barclays, Coca-Cola and The Football Association in addition to prior experience at the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games and adidas. 

Mark is currently a trustee at StreetGames UK.

Francesca Carter-Kelly

Director of Sport and Performance

Francesca is Commonwealth Games England’s Director of Sport and Performance, which involves working closely with National Governing Bodies to ensure the team and athletes are best supported in the lead up to and at the Games. 

At Birmingham 2022, Francesca was the Deputy Chef de Mission for Sport and Athletes. 

Francesca was the Chef de Mission for Team Great Britain at the Winter World University Games in Russia in 2019 and oversaw the development and delivery of Team England’s preparation camp for the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games. 

Francesca Crabtree

Operations Manager

Francesca joined Commonwealth Games England in 2020 as Operations Manager. 

As part of the Operations Team, she will lead the accreditation, ticketing and transport projects for Victoria 2026. 

Francesca has experience working for a National Governing Body (British Triathlon) and in an operations role in the mass participation industry. She also held a sport management role at the Special Olympics in Abu Dhabi in 2019.

Carys Edwards

Head of Communications

Carys is the Head of Communications at Commonwealth Games England, having joined the organisation in 2017. Her role involves overseeing Team England’s external communication through media outlets and digital platforms with an aim to share our values, athlete stories and celebrate success to inspire the nation.

At Birmingham 2022, Carys was Chief Press Attaché, managing a Games time team of Press Officers as well as the Celebrating Victory (post medal media) and Digital programmes. At the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games, Carys planned and delivered the media operation at the Team England preparation camp and at Games time, worked with multiple sports as part of the press team. She also covered the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games and Minsk 2019 European Games as part of Team GB’s delegation. 

Hollie Lunn

Games Delivery Coordinator

Hollie joined the team in 2018 as an Event Operations Intern for her placement year at University. Hollie returned to work with us as a Games Delivery Coordinator in February of 2021 after graduating from her degree in International Hospitality Management. As part of the Operations department, she aided the Operations Manager in both accreditation and village operations for the Birmingham 2022 Games.

Hollie also played netball throughout her time at university and enjoys tennis in her spare time.

Louise Mackie

Operations Director

Louise has worked on international sport events since 2000, where she first worked as a sport volunteer at the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games. Following the Sydney Games, she worked for one of Australia’s leading event management companies, project managing events across Australia for client’s such as Swimming Australia and Surf Life Australia – two of the country’s most followed sports.
 
Australian born, Louise moved to the UK in 2007. She worked with the London 2012 Olympic Organising Committee, initially responsible for the logistics operation of the Aquatics Centre, before moving in to venue management, were she oversaw the Games-time operation.
 
Louise was Team England's Chef de Mission at the 2015 Commonwealth Youth Games in Samoa.
 
Louise joined Commonwealth Games England in January 2013.

Louise Pullan

Kit Operations Specialist

Lou joined Commonwealth Games England in 2020, bringing with her specialist knowledge of design, development and production from the past 15 years in the sportswear industry.

Lou has worked with brands, athletes and teams internationally over her career and has a particular passion for para sports kit development.

Emily Scott

Games Delivery Coordinator

Emily joined the team in March 2021 as Games Delivery Coordinator, where she will work closely with the Sport Team to provide support on key Games delivery projects for Birmingham 2022.

Emily started her career in sports events at the British Triathlon Federation, where she played a key-supporting role in the operational delivery of the 2018 Major Events Programme. This portfolio included the AJ Bell ITU World Triathlon Leeds and The Accenture Mixed Team Challenge Canary Wharf.
She then went on to work in event operations within the mass participation industry. 

Emily enjoys traveling and is a very keen sportswomen with a passion for swimming, running and golf. She has a 1st Class Bsc (Hons) degree in Sport, Physical Education and Coaching Science from the University of Birmingham.

Ben Shepherd

Chief Operating Officer

Ben joined Commonwealth Games England as COO in March 2023.

Ben brings thirteen years of senior financial experience across the sport, charity, and retail sectors. He took up his role with Commonwealth Games England after six years at the Lawn Tennis Association including his role as Head of Finance, and his most recent role as Director of Business Operations and Company Secretary at ukactive.

Harriet Smith

Head of Programme Management

Harriet is the Head of Programme Management at Commonwealth Games England, which involves working alongside all project owners to provide support and focus ahead of key timelines in the run up to a Games.

Harriet was the Project Manager for the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games and supported the delivery for Team Great Britain at the Summer World University Games in Naples in 2019.

Tim Thomas

Games Delivery Coordinator

Tim joined Commonwealth Games England in 2019 as Games Delivery Intern, as part of his placement year at the University of Surrey. He completed his Business Management degree in the summer of 2021 before returning to the team full time as Games Delivery Coordinator. He works with the operations manager primarily on logistics and transport. 

Tim is a keen sports enthusiast and is always up for trying new sports. He has always showed a great interest in rugby and has found a new enthusiasm for running since picking it up in lockdown. 

Matthew Darrington

Games Delivery Intern

Matthew joined the team in 2023 as Games Delivery Intern, as part of his placement year studying for a sports management degree at Loughborough University. He will work on a placement for a year within the operations team to assist on projects and gain experience within the industry.

Matthew has played sport all his life and, as well as being a passionate football fan, is also training to complete an Ironman triathlon in 2024.

Manraj Jandu

Finance Manager

Manraj is an ACCA qualified accountant with a diverse background and a track record of success. Having previously worked as a Finance Analyst at the The Wellcome Trust, Manraj had roles in Financial & Investment Accounting, Business Partnering and Tax for over three years, gaining invaluable experience in various aspects of finance. Manraj’s background extends to roles as a Brand Ambassador for Accenture and a Customer Engagement Manager at tech startup, FIIT.

Beyond his professional life, Manraj is actively involved in various sports but mainly a dedicated Rugby player for Sutton & Epsom RFC and a member of the London Strength where he trains and competes in Olympic lifting. Previously he has competed in the British student championships during his time at Brunel University London as a student.