Atholl Duncan appointed as UK Coaching’s new chair

Atholl takes over from Gillian Wilmot, who will step down at the end of June. The Board would like to convey its appreciation to Gillian, whose leadership, talent and expertise have been great assets to UK Coaching.   

Atholl Duncan is an experienced business leader and non-executive director with a background in strategy, change, digital, commercial, media and government affairs. In his most recent non-executive role, Atholl was the chairman of the British Horseracing Authority – the governing and regulatory body for the UK’s second largest spectator sport. He is also the founder of The Edge Coaching and Consultancy, which delivers high level executive coaching and change consultancy, and is an Insead qualified executive coach.  

In his professional career, Atholl was executive director of the Institute of Chartered Accountants Scotland, and is a former head of news and current affairs at BBC Scotland, where he was responsible for leading a team of 270 journalists. 

The highly accomplished public speaker, who is known for his calm and respectful character has held non-executive director roles with sportscotland, the Scottish Sports Council Trust and Hibernian Community Foundation – the charitable arm of the professional football club – and has experience of coaching triathlon, rugby and football. In his spare time, Atholl competes in 10Ks, half-marathons and half-ironmans, regarding himself as one of the country’s ‘slowest triathletes’.

“With a passion for developing and maximising coach learning, I want to use my background and skills to influence the type of support and resources available to coaches so that every single one of them feels empowered to make real change in their communities and help people to thrive.”

“Collectively, we want the public to recognise great coaching as the status quo, and that coaching is about helping others towards their sport and physical activity goals regardless of their motivations. With Atholl’s wealth of experience, he can undoubtedly take us there.”

“Great coaching is about understanding the person in front of you to draw out their capabilities and strengths. We know people’s lives have been turned around because of coaching – whether they are the coach or the participant – but we want more people and more communities to experience its positive effects.”