Sue Campbell CBE - Chief Executive of the Youth Sport Trust and former Chief Executive of the National Coaching Foundation - has been appointed as the new interim Chair of UK Sport, taking over from Sir Rodney Walker, who steps down after five years in the post.
Campbell's term of appointment is for a maximum of 18 months, with a review after nine months, and starts with effect from 19 September 2003.
"UK Sport perform a highly valued role in supporting our top athletes and this appointment is excellent news for high performance sport in the UK," said Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell.
"Sue Campbell brings a wealth of experience to her new role. The challenge for UK Sport in the coming months is to develop systems of support for our athletes that are designed with the needs of athletes at their core and which meet the priorities of all the parts of the United Kingdom."
The Secretary of State also paid tribute to outgoing Chairman, Sir Rodney Walker: "Sir Rodney has made a significant contribution to sports administration and his experience and guidance was invaluable in the formal establishment of UK Sport. His skills and experience of sports issues at the highest levels has been crucial in the development of UK Sport and its programmes of support to elite athletes and this together with his leadership style has resulted in UK Sport growing in stature and influence."
Campbell, a former junior international athlete and netball player, said she looked forward to beginning work at "a challenging time for the organisation".
"My experience with sports administration, my work with athletes and coaches, my close involvement with the Cunningham Review of Elite Sports Funding and the development of the Government's Plan for Sport have all provided me with an insight into some of the key issues that underpin sporting success at the highest level," she explained.
"I am looking forward with huge excitement to the task of reforming UK Sport and have no doubt that, as a result of the changes we will put in place, the organisation will play a leading role in helping to deliver success for the UK for many Olympiads to come."
Richard Callicott, Chief Executive of UK Sport, added: "I am absolutely delighted that Sue Campbell is to be our interim Chair. To have someone with Sue's energy, influence and ability at the helm of UK Sport will be a real asset to the organisation.
"Sue's insights in the various facets of the sporting world will be invaluable in helping UK Sport to develop its programmes and activities to ensure an even greater fit with the needs of athletes and the Home Countries."