Sue Campbell CBE, Chair of UK Sport and Youth Sport Trust, has been introduced to the House of Lords today as life peer Baroness Campbell of Loughborough.
Campbell was appointed to the House of Lords in September to serve as a Crossbench Peer - the first non-political Crossbench Peer appointed for sport - in recognition of her major sporting contribution to the UK. However at today’s ceremony she was introduced to the House for the first time by The Lord Coe and Baroness Morris of Yardley. Introduction ceremonies take place in the Lords Chamber before each Member is able to take their seat in the House.
Baroness Campbell has served sport with high distinction over several decades in a number of high profile and influential roles. A former netball and athletics international player and coach, she lectured at Loughborough University and was a sport development officer before spending eleven years as head of the National Coaching Foundation. She moved to become CEO of the Youth Sport Trust in 1995, becoming its Chair in 2005. She became Chair of UK Sport in 2003, initially in an interim position before being confirmed in post in 2005.
“I am absolutely delighted to have been introduced to the House today,” she said. “This is a very proud moment for me and to be recognised by the Lords for your achievements is a huge honour. My passion remains as strong as ever and I very much look forward to working with fellow Peers to drive sport forward in the UK – both at elite level and within the education system.”
Speaking earlier this year when Campbell’s appointment was first announced, The Lord Coe, Chair of London 2012, said: “Sue will be a wonderful addition to the House. I have seen Sue’s dedication to sport first hand in the thirty years I have known her, and I’m delighted that her outstanding achievements in the world of sport have been recognised in this way. She will be a great supporter and champion of the inspirational power of sport, and I know the whole House will benefit from her intimate understanding of sporting issues.”