Carl Hawkes is the new CEO of YSF

We are delighted to welcome Carl Hawkes as the new Chief Executive Officer of Yorkshire Sport Foundation. 

Carl comes with a wealth of experience and knowledge of the charity sector. He joins us from being Director of Operations at FareShare UK, a charity that fights hunger and food waste by redistributing surplus food to over 8,000 charities and 1 million beneficiaries every year.  

He is also Deputy Chair of Leeds Community Foundation,  a charity that distributes funding to local organisations across Leeds, helping tackle issues like poverty, mental health, social isolation and digital exclusion.  
Carl said: “I’m delighted to be joining Yorkshire Sport Foundation as Chief Executive. Throughout my career, I’ve witnessed the powerful role that physical activity can play in transforming lives not only by improving health, but by helping to build stronger, more resilient communities.  

I’m passionate about the work we do at Yorkshire Sport Foundation, and I believe deeply in the mission and its potential to create meaningful, lasting impact, which is why I’m honoured to lead such a brilliant organisation. I look forward to working closely with our partners to tackle inequality and help even more people experience the life-changing benefits of sport, physical activity and movement.” 

“At YSF we believe in the power of sport, physical activity and movement to change people’s lives, bring us together and tackle inequality. Our vision is to create a vibrant, healthy and prosperous Yorkshire through everyone moving more. As a lottery funded charity we will always work with partners for social good and to improve personal wellbeing. 
 
“Over the coming months we will be developing and refreshing our strategy to best support the constantly evolving priorities, opportunities and challenges of our partners and the communities we are here to support.   

“With new CEO Simon Hayes starting at Sport England, and the Mayors in South Yorkshire and West Yorkshire signing agreements to harness the power of sport and activity, this is an exciting time to meet and work with so many brilliant and committed partners. 

“I would like to thank Nigel and recognise the unparalleled contribution he has made in the evolution of the organisation, and also the national landscape of Sport England’s active partnerships.” 

Brendan Fatchett, the Chair of Yorkshire Sport Foundation said: “We are thrilled to attract someone of Carl's calibre. He has widespread experience of working within a senior role in the charity sector and his passion for the role that sport and physical activity can play in people's lives shone throughout the application process.  
 
“Carl is an experienced senior leader, who we are confident can lead the organisation to its next stage of development to ensure we can be the best we can be in supporting our partners to tackle the challenges arising out of inequalities across all the communities we serve.”