Tove Okunniwa, the former head of marketing for BBC Sport, has been announced as the new chief executive of London Sport.

The appointment follows the departure of former CEO Peter Fitzboydon, who earlier this year announced his decision to stand down and take up a new role as managing director of Parkwood Leisure.

Okunniwa, who is also currently deputy chair of England Boxing, is a passionate advocate for diversity and equality in sport. According to London Sport, she will bring “substantial commercial acumen” to the role.

Okunniwa joins London Sport as it marks the official opening of House of Sport, the new workspace established to encourage collaboration and creative thinking across the sports sector.

“Physical activity and sport are critical to the health and wellbeing of our great city, and I look forward to doing whatever I can to help achieve London’s vision of becoming the most physically active city in the world,” Okunniwa said. “This is an exciting opportunity to make a real difference to the lives of Londoners.”

Richard Barker, vice chair of London Sport, added: “In a highly competitive selection process, Tove’s experience, passion and exceptional understanding of the power of sport in London shone through.

“Tove’s track record with major organisations like the BBC, and her clear belief in physical activity and sport’s capacity to improve people’s lives, will be decisive factors in supporting our work now, and in the future.

“This is a critical time for our organisation and I, and the Board of London Sport, are thrilled to welcome Tove on board at this exciting time for sport in the capital.”

Supported by the Mayor of London and Sport England, London Sport has five strategic objectives: to make it easier for Londoners to access physical activity; get more resources for sport in the capital; support grassroots organisations; improve the capital’s sports workforce; and to harness the power of elite sport to create sustained grassroots activities.

The organisation is on-track to achieve its target of getting one million Londoners more physically active by 2020.