Commonwealth Games England has appointed two new members to the Board. John Steele and Diane Modahl MBE will join as Non-Executive Directors from 1st May 2021.

John Steele has been appointed to succeed Ian Metcalfe as Chair in the autumn of 2022, when Ian’s 8-year term of office concludes after the completion of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games. 

Diane Modahl will also join the Sport Committee of the Board, replacing Nigel Walker in the role as Chair of that committee later this year. 

John has a background in sport that includes being a professional rugby player and European Cup winning coach. He is currently Executive Director of Sport at Loughborough University, and has recently completed his second term as Chair of the English Institute of Sport.

He has also held several Chief Executive roles including at UK Sport and the Youth Sport Trust. 

John said:

“These are exciting times for Commonwealth sport. Next year’s home Games in Birmingham is an opportunity to not only provide an amazing experience for everyone involved, but also play an important part in the recovery of the nation, after what will have been a very challenging couple of years. I feel very privileged to be taking over as Chair next year and can hopefully play a part in an exciting future for the organisation, that will make a positive difference to athletes, coaches and volunteers.”

Diane Modahl is founder and CEO of the Diane Modahl Sports Foundation (DMSF), a registered charity and youth foundation that supports young people from disadvantaged communities in the North West to excel through the power of sport in education and employability. 

Diane said: 

“Thank you to Ian Metcalfe and Commonwealth Games England’s Board, it is with humility and excitement that I accept the opportunity to join the Board as a Non-Executive Director and to Chair the Sports Committee.

“Since retiring from international athletics, I have dedicated my career and Board appointments to championing opportunities that maximise potential and I look forward to supporting the athletes, staff and volunteers in the run up to and following a unique opportunity to take part in a home Games.

“Birmingham 2022 provides us with a brilliant platform to demonstrate the very best of English sporting talent to the world and I’m proud to be involved.”        

As an athlete, Diane Modahl is one of Britain’s most successful 800m runners, taking a clean sweep of gold, silver and bronze at three Commonwealth Games (1986, 1990 and 1998) and competed at four Olympic Games. She was unbeaten by any other British athlete over six consecutive seasons and held the English, British and Commonwealth records for both 800m and 600m.

Chair of Commonwealth Games England, Ian Metcalfe, welcomed the appointments:

“I am delighted to welcome John and Diane to our Board and thrilled that CGE has been able to attract two such outstanding candidates as NEDs and future Board and Committee Chairs. We have made these appointments in very good time, so that both John and Diane could experience a home Commonwealth Games as Board members. John and Diane will make a significant contribution in the run up to the Games and I’m looking forward to working with them both.”

Ian Metcalfe will lead Commonwealth Games England as host team into the next Commonwealth Games in his hometown of Birmingham before his term comes to an end in the autumn of 2022. 

Director of Sport at Sport England, Phil Smith, said:

“John and Diane are both great appointments from a really strong field, after an excellent recruitment process. CGE has made these decisions commendably early, which is consistent with the high standard of preparations for Team England at Birmingham 2022 and the work done by the current post holders, Ian and Nigel. Sport England’s partnership with CGE is very strong and we wish them every success.”