THE UK COMMITTEE FOR UNICEF LAUNCHES SPORT ADVISORY BOARD

London, 17 January 2023 – The UK Committee for UNICEF (UNICEF UK) is pleased to announce the formation of a Sport Advisory Board, to take effect from 28 February 2023. The Sport Advisory Board brings together leaders from across the sporting industry to help advance UNICEF’s work in the sector.

UNICEF’s work in sport centres around three core pillars: raise further funds towards life-saving UNICEF programmes, advocate for child rights and to make sport safe, fun and inclusive for children. The board’s imminent priorities include helping to identify new fundraising partnerships for UNICEF UK, raise awareness of key issues affecting children and help improve safeguarding and respect for child rights in sport globally.

Jon Sparkes, Chief Executive of the UK Committee for UNICEF (UNICEF UK) said: “At UNICEF UK, we believe that sport has the power to change children’s lives. By taking part in sport, children learn to develop confidence, motivate themselves and lead active lifestyles. It is therefore critical that sports and our work in protecting child rights go hand in hand.”

“I am delighted to welcome our inaugural Sport Advisory Board today. Each member brings with them the experience to make a real difference and clear dedication to child rights. We will work together to achieve our core strategic priorities to reach and continue to protect every child everywhere.”

Members of the Sport Advisory Board will use their skills, networks, and experience to collectively drive forward UNICEF UK’s three core priorities in sport. Members join the child right’s agency’s Sport Advisory Board from a variety of backgrounds in the sport industry, all with the vision of helping guide and enhance the strategic development of UNICEF UK’s work in the sector.

Yath Gangakumaran, Chair of UNICEF UK Sport Advisory Board and Commercial Director at Sky Sports said: “Sport has the power to change children’s lives for the better, and the reach and captive audiences that sport organisations and athletes offer is unparalleled. As an industry, we can play a meaningful role in positively supporting the development of children across the world.

“I’m honoured to support UNICEF UK’s Sport Advisory Board to advance the organisation’s pioneering developmental work linked to sport and help improve the lives of children around the world.”

The Sports Advisory Board will meet quarterly, with the first meeting taking place at the end of February.

ENDS

Notes to Editors:

For more information, please contact Ayse Yalinca at UNICEF UK Press Office at [email protected] or 02073756030.

About UNICEF’s work in, around and through sport

Sport and play are crucial parts of every child’s life. UNICEF, using dedicated programmes in, around and through sport, has been working to ensure that every child has the right to play for more than 10 years. Our work to respect, protect and promote children’s rights focuses on three areas.

For more information, visit our website.

Members of the inaugural Sports Advisory Board 

Yath Gangakumaran
Appointed as the Chair of UNICEF UK’s Sport Advisory Board, Yath will help drive forward the work and ambitions of the Board. He is the Commercial Director of Sky Sports and has significant experience in strategy and commercial development spanning leading organisations across the sport and media industries.

Ama Agbeze, MBE
As a former England Netball Captain and Lawyer, Ama plays a major role in shaping the sport industry to be safer, empowering and diverse through her prominent roles as an Ambassador, Trustee and Lawyer.

Jenny Mitton
Jenny Mitton is a Director and Women’s Sport Lead at M&C Saatchi Sport and Entertainment. Jenny helps brands achieve business results and societal change through multi award-winning sponsorship campaigns in women’s sport.

Kelly Hogarth
Kelly is the Founder and CEO of Thelma Gwen, where she provides branding consultancy that focuses on social impact, to prominent clients that have included footballers Marcus Rashford and Raheem Sterling.

Omar Mohammed
Omar currently works as the VP of Commercial at Liverpool Football Club alongside his Advisory role, bringing a wealth of experience across sports, business and championing diversity within the sports industry.

Tony Singh
Tony currently works as the Chief Commercial Officer at the English and Wales Cricket Board, leading fan engagement and revenue generation with significant cross-sector experience in business development.

Richard Adelsberg
Richard currently works as the CEO of Ear to the Ground, a leading sports, esports and gaming creative agency that brings fans from around the world into their Fan Intelligence® approach. He brings a wealth of brand, rights holder and fan engagement experience from across the sport industry and wider.

About UNICEF UK

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. Across more than 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, to build a better world for everyone.

The UK Committee for UNICEF (UNICEF UK) raises funds for UNICEF’s emergency and development work for children. We also promote and protect children’s rights in the UK and internationally. We are a UK charity, entirely funded by supporters.

United Kingdom Committee for UNICEF (UNICEF UK), Registered Charity No. 1072612 (England & Wales), SC043677 (Scotland).

For more information, visit unicef.org.uk. Follow UNICEF UK on Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook and YouTube.