The ukactive board has named Huw Edwards as the not-for-profit body's permanent chief executive.

Edwards, who has overseen ukactive operations as acting CEO since April, will take up the role with immediate effect.

He succeeds former CEO Steven Ward, who announced in February 2019 that he would leave the organisation after 13 years.

Edwards first joined ukactive as director of public affairs in April 2016 and was then named director of public affairs, communications and research in January 2018. In his role, he played an integral role in the development of the organisation’s new four-year business plan.

He has also been influential in developing ukactive’s relationship with key stakeholders including Sport England, and also serves as the Leisure Sector Disability Champion, as appointed by the Department of Work and Pensions.

“The strength of this organisation comes from its members, and we have a great team at ukactive who will continue to work tirelessly to support and advise our membership base, while also providing them with a powerful voice in government," Edwards said.

“I look forward to working with partners across the whole sector to champion the importance of physical activity to our society, and to ensure its value is fully recognised.

“As political and economic uncertainty continues to divide communities across the UK, it has never been more important for ukactive to unite the movement of an active nation.

“The growth of the physical activity sector has come as a result of the entrepreneurial spirit and tireless dedication that make the people in our sector so great.

“ukactive will continue to grow and support this movement to ensure that physical activity is positioned at the forefront of our nation’s future.”

Chair of ukactive Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson added: “Huw will lead the organisation at an incredibly exciting time for both its members and staff.

“The board was very impressed with the extremely high standard of applications for this role, which is a testament to the strength of ukactive’s influence and position today, both within the sector and the broader public agenda.

“Huw has been instrumental in the evolution of ukactive and its vision to unite the movement of an active nation from the very youngest to the oldest in society.

“He is supported by an excellent team, and has the full backing of the Board, Councils and partners to drive the ambitions of ukactive and its members to get more people more active, more often.”