Women in Sport appoint Head of Policy, Partnerships and Public Affairs

Women in Sport has appointed Lisa West to head up its advocacy and consultancy work as it looks to drive further change on behalf of women and girls. The charity, which celebrates its 40th birthday in 2024, has been building on its leading-edge insights work to highlight and breakdown stubborn gender inequalities within the sport sector and beyond. Lisa joined Women in Sport in 2021 to oversee partnerships and consultancy and now steps up to lead the organisation’s advocacy work as it looks to increase its impact and empower more women and girls to be active.  

With a fantastic sporting summer to look forward to with Wimbledon, the UEFA Women’s Euros, Commonwealth Games, and Rugby League World Cup, the charity is delighted by the higher profile and increased visibility of women’s sport.  However, it recognises there is more work to do to ensure the right culture prevails to attract women and girls into sport, as demonstrated by the recent Whyte Report. There is also need for greater investment across the board to start to level the still unequal playing field, not least in teamsports where 23 per cent fewer girls than boys get the chance to take part. 

Women in Sport CEO Stephanie Hilborne said: “I am absolutely delighted to have appointed Lisa to this critical role for our charity and our cause.  Lisa is passionate about giving girls and women the opportunity to thrive through sport and her clear strategic vision, positive energy and collaborative mindset will help us continue to grow our impact.  Lisa already had a strong record and a great reputation in the sport and leisure sector before joining Women in Sport.  She’s done a great job for us over the last nine months in a different role, and now the charity will be able to benefit from Lisa’s leadership and vision across our wider policy, public affairs and partnerships work.” 

Lisa has more than 16 years’ experience in the sport sector, within Local Authority sport development, Swim England and as a project manager and consultant.  

Speaking of the new position, she said: “I am extremely proud to take on the role of Head of Policy, Partnerships and Public Affairs. It is such an exciting time for the charity, and I am looking forward to joining the senior management team as we continue to drive our purpose of giving every woman and girl the opportunity to take part in sport and inspiring her to do so. I look forward to building new partnerships, as well as strengthening our existing ones and continuing to support the sector, and beyond, as we work towards gender equality.”