Walker included in list of top 50 BAME leaders

English Institute of Sport (EIS) National Director Nigel Walker has been included in a list of the top 50 most influential Black and Minority Ethnic (BAME) leaders in the public sector.

The New View 50, published by Inclusive Boards, an agency set up to support the third and public sector with their efforts to attract more BAME leaders at board and executive level, celebrates the achievements of individuals at the top of their fields.

The list, topped by London Mayor Sadiq Khan, was released along with New View’s second annual survey, which found that only 1 in 16 public sector senior managers are from a BAME background.

Walker, a former athlete and rugby union international representing Great Britain and Wales respectively, has been EIS National Director since 2010, leading the organisation as it supported 86% of Team GB and Paralympics GB medallists in London and 93% in Rio last year.

He is also a Commonwealth Games England Board member and has previously served as a UK Sport board member from 2006-10.

Walker said: “I am naturally delighted to be included in the list of the top 50 BAME leaders but it’s not primarily about being a black leader for me but about the quality of the job that I do while in post to ensure the EIS continues to go from strength to strength which in turn means that Team GB and Paralympics GB continue to punch above their weight.

“I do however look forward to the day when such lists are not necessary because there are so many BAME leaders in prominent positions that it is the norm.  Let’s hope that this achieved sooner rather than later.”