UK Coaching welcomes new Chair to its Board of Directors
News by UK Coaching
UK Coaching, the UK’s only independent representative body for coaches, is delighted to announce the appointment of a new Chair to its Board of Directors.
Effective from 1st July 2025, Michelle Bramley will step into the role of Chair, succeeding Atholl Duncan, who has led the organisation for six years. Having served on the charity’s Board for five and a half years, Michelle brings a wealth of experience and leadership to this pivotal position.
With a career spanning international law, executive coaching, and governance advisory roles across commercial and non-profit sectors, Michelle has worked extensively across countries and cultures. As a non-executive director at UK Coaching, she has played a crucial role in shaping its direction, chairing the Governance Committee, a member of the Finance, Audit, and Risk Committee, and being part of the Coaching Advisory Panel.
She has also chaired the organisation’s ESG working group and will continue to lead this group.
Looking ahead to her tenure as Chair, Michelle expressed enthusiasm for the journey ahead. She said:
“UK Coaching has the power to drive meaningful change, making sport and physical activity accessible to all. By strengthening both high-performance and grass-roots coaching, we can inspire and support more people to lead healthier, more active lives for longer.
Inclusivity must be central to this transformation. By 2032, we aim for 50% of UK coaches and physical activity professionals to be female, and to establish a more diverse and inclusive workforce of one million new coaches, from different demographics, so that the workforce is representative of the make-up of society in the UK.
“Sustainability is another critical priority. Coaches play a vital role in embedding sustainable practices within the UK sports sector, and we will empower them to be champions for change across the UK and internationally.
UK Coaching stands at a pivotal moment, ready to catalyse a step-change across the sector. After a challenging period for the coaching community, now is the time for bold action. We will build a workforce that is inclusive, future-proofed, and fully supported, so that coaches can continue making a lasting impact on the health and well-being of the nation.
“I am honoured to follow in Atholl’s footsteps, building on the incredible foundation he has laid. His leadership has strengthened UK Coaching, ensuring coaches are at the heart of everything we do. Over the coming years, I look forward to working alongside our talented team and dedicated partners to accelerate this progress, championing coaches, increasing accessibility, and shaping a future where coaching is more diverse, sustainable, and impactful.”
Meanwhile, Atholl reflects on his impactful years. He said:
“UK Coaching has evolved tremendously over the years. Under the leadership of Mark Gannon and the dedicated team, we transformed from an industrial estate warehouse into a dynamic hub in Leeds’ digital quarter. We strengthened financial stability, forged key partnerships with Sport England and UK Sport, and most importantly ensured that coaches remain at the heart of everything we do.
There is still so much more to achieve expanding opportunities for coaches from diverse backgrounds, increasing participation in coaching within underserved communities, and continuing to revolutionise coach education and development across the UK. I have every confidence that Michelle and her team will continue driving this positive change, shaping the sporting landscape as champions of the coaching profession.”
Expressing confidence in her successor, Atholl added:
“I am delighted to pass the baton to Michelle. She brings outstanding leadership, deep expertise, and an intimate understanding of UK Coaching’s mission and impact. Her guidance will be invaluable in steering the organisation toward an even brighter future."
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