Nigel Harrison to step down as CEO

Nigel Harrison will step down as Chief Executive of Yorkshire Sport Foundation (YSF) in the summer after a period of 24 years leading the organisation. 

Nigel was the first employee of West Yorkshire Sport in 2001 as Active Sports Partnerships were formed across the country. Since then, he has led the growth and development of the organisation and network to what YSF has become today.

While the early days were focussed on ensuring many and varied national programmes were delivered to local need, Nigel was instrumental in learning from his previous Calderdale role in supporting the formation of collaborative partnerships of the major organisations and institutions delivering sport in all our Districts to open up more opportunities to take part and enjoy sport.

The subsequent formation and development of the District Partnerships gave the foundation to three of our areas being identified by Sport England as Local Delivery Pilots in 2018 and the place-based partnerships we have in place today.

He has long been a champion for the role sport and physical activity can play in addressing the challenges people face arising out of inequalities. For over a decade Nigel has led a strategy that has ensured most of YSF resources have been directed to those areas with lowest incomes. He has driven a change process to make YSF more inclusive and diverse along with leading the Yorkshire and Humber Anti-Racism Group aiming to create a culture of inclusivity across the sporting community of the region.

Nigel has been influential on the national stage, being a member of the national Board for Active Partnerships for seven years. Part of his role was leading on the National Governing Body engagement on behalf of all County Sports Partnerships (previous name for Active Partnerships) at a time of a NGB-led strategic approach in England. More recently he was appointed interim CEO of the national organisation. There he led a change process that resulted in a renewed commitment to the network and a refreshed team and Board in place. While in this role he led the partnership of organisations that successful bid to operate the £57m Opening Schools Facilities programme across the country.

He has always maintained the need for YSF to be the best it can be. In 2011 he led the formation of the West Yorkshire Sport charitable company as the service was transferred from Kirklees Council. Following some support he was giving to South Yorkshire Sport in 2012 he then led the merger of the two organisations to become what has now become Yorkshire Sport Foundation. Built on strong foundations the company became the first sporting organisation to have been deemed compliant to the UK Code of Sports Governance. Last year the team were thrilled to be named as the UK’s Best Charity to work for in the Best Company’s programme.

On announcing his departure Nigel said: “After over 24 years in such a brilliant job, it’s now time for some freshness, both for the good of Yorkshire Sport Foundation and for me personally. In the Autumn there will need to be a new strategy and business plan to be developed and it’s only right for someone to lead that process through its development and implementation.  

“Early on in my development I learnt that, despite all the talk of systems, processes, strategies and the like, the work is all about people, and I have been so privileged to have worked with so many great colleagues and friends over that time.  

“We have a fantastic team and Board in place doing some fantastic work, who I learn from each day. A team that’s been playing its part in the infrastructure of our part of Yorkshire, ensuring sport and physical activity plays its part in happier and healthier communities.  

“On a personal front, I remain firmly in the belief there’s more to be achieved in front than behind, so we’ll see what the future holds.  

“As I won’t be leaving until the summer period there’s plenty of time to say proper farewells. In the meantime, there’s still lots of work to do in the immediate future and I’ll be concentrating on that.  

“For now, it’s a simple yet huge ‘Thank You’.” 

The chair of Yorkshire Sport Foundation board Brendan Fatchett said: “Nigel is a highly talented Chief Executive who has transformed Yorkshire Sport Foundation over more than two decades leading the organisation.   

“We are enormously grateful for all his efforts to support communities in South Yorkshire and West Yorkshire, and his commitment to movement and sport.  

“We wish him all the very best for the future.”  

The recruitment process to find Nigel’s successor will begin shortly with Nigel remaining in post until such a time a replacement has been appointed.