NEWS - PLACEMENT OF JULIA NEWTON AS CHAIR OF GB TAEKWONDO

June 1st 2017

JULIA NEWTON IS NEW CHAIR OF GB TAEKWONDO 

Julia Newton is the new Chair of GB Taekwondo, succeeding Jeremy Beard in the post.

Ms Newton, founder and Managing Director of Shine, a leading communications and marketing consultancy, takes up her role from July 1, 2017. She has a huge passion for sport and has a strong awareness of sport business through her work with leading brands. Mr Beard steps down after seven years ending an era of record breaking success for the sport that has yielded five Olympic Games medals, including double gold for Jade Jones, and a World Championship heavyweight title for Bianca Walkden.

“Over the past decade the achievement of Jeremy Beard, the staff and athletes is both outstanding and inspiring,” said Ms Newton. “I am honoured to be joining GB Taekwondo and look forward to helping the team build on their extraordinary success.”

She was appointed after a recruitment process led by Sara Sutcliffe, Senior Independent Director, and including representation from UK Sport.

Mr Beard said :“It has been an honour and a privilege to Chair GB Taekwondo over the last seven years. “I would like to thank the staff and the athletes for their outstanding achievements on and off the mat during this time, and my fellow Board members for overseeing and guiding the organisation during my time as Chairman. “I wish Julia, and all the team, every success in the future. “Julia has been a highly successful entrepreneur, founder and Managing Director of a leading communications and marketing consultancy and has a strong awareness of sports business. “She has also been Chair and NED for two other organisations and has an excellent awareness of the need for sound governance in a publicly funded organisation.”

Simon Morton, UK Sport Chief Operating Officer, said: “We are delighted to see Julia appointed as the new Chair of GB Taekwondo. “She will bring considerable leadership and experience to the role, and we look forward to working with her on the sport’s exciting journey to Tokyo 2020. “We would also like to pay tribute to Jeremy following seven years in the role and wish him well for the future.”