Women in Sport CEO Ruth Holdaway to step down

Ruth Holdaway chief executive of Women in Sport, is leaving the charity to take up the role of CEO of Tennis Victoria in Australia.

Holdaway joined Women in Sport in 2013 – then called Women’s Sport and Fitness Foundation – and led a transformational rebrand of the charity.

During her tenure as CEO, Women in Sport has been credited with delivering a number of successful campaigns designed to promote the role of women and girls in sport.

Holdaway was a vocal supporter of a requirement for more women in leadership roles written into Sport England's Code of Sport’s Governance.

She will officially leave her post in May.

"Ruth has worked tirelessly to improve the experience of sport and fitness for women and girls across the country," said Jayne Haines, chair of Women in Sport.

"Ruth has also transformed the charity itself, with a rebrand and new strategy which make our ability have social impact all the stronger."

Holdaway added: “It has been an honour to lead Women in Sport. The landscape for women’s sport in the UK has changed dramatically since I started in this role and I feel proud of what Women in Sport has contributed to drive that positive change.

"However, there is much still to do. I’m looking forward to now becoming a female leader in an international sporting arena, and I’ll do everything I can to keep campaigning for women and girls to have equal access to sport and to play leading roles in the sector."

The recruitment process for Holdaway's replacement will begin this week.