UK Deaf Sport announced today the appointment of Chris Ratcliffe as its new Chief Executive, following an extensive search process. He will begin on 23 September 2024.
Chris is a highly experienced CEO and Senior Executive, spending the last 14 years working within the sport sector and charity sector, most recently at Boccia England.
Chris himself is deaf and has been directly involved in deaf sport as an athlete, administrator, and volunteer for most of his life. He represented Great Britain at the 1985 Deaflympics in Los Angeles in water polo and was the Chef de Mission for the GB team at the Deaflympics in Melbourne 2005.
UKDS Chairman Nick Brookes said: “We are delighted to welcome Chris as our new Chief Executive. He is a proven leader who has a diverse background of experiences and an excellent track record of delivery. He has exceptional strategic capabilities and proven operational effectiveness. The Board looks forward to working closely with him as we strengthen and expand our mission and purpose. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Joanne Cholerton, the previous CEO, for her leadership. The changes that she has made to UKDS’s strategy and structure leave the organisation far better positioned for success”
Chris Ratcliffe commented “I am very excited to be joining UK Deaf Sport as it continues to establish its important place within the Deaf sports community and beyond. I look forward to taking the organisation into its next stage of growth.”
Contact Kathryn Halsey info@ukds.org.uk for more information