KELLETT FUTURE IN DOUBT

Basketball England chief executive Stewart Kellett’s future is in doubt after a lengthy hiatus, MVP understands.

The former British Cycling manager, who joined the governing body in 2015, was signed off with stress six months ago and is not in regular contact with the office, BE officials have now confirmed, despite prior denials of his absence.

Although the organisation’s board claims he will resume his role in November, staff members remain in the dark over his future with one telling MVP that “there is no longer any assumption that he’ll be seen here again.”

Kellett stepped aside amid a process that saw him instigate a move for Basketball England from its long-time home in Sheffield to Manchester, where he resides.

Behind the scenes, it is known that there have been concerns expressed about the governance and direction of BE in addition to a perceived failure to buy in wholly to British Basketball’s overall strategy, as well as opting out of commercial deals agreed with Scotland and Wales and the sport’s primary body.

Basketball England cancelled its 2017 Annual General Meeting which was scheduled for 14 October. No new date for the AGM or published accounts are yet available.

In a statement posted solely on the company’s website, it said: “Basketball England continues to be run by the same Executive Management Team and the Board of Directors are fully engaged with the current plans to further develop the sport. There has been no change in terms of Basketball England’s oversight or governance.”

BE was previously sanctioned by Sport England for its poor governance – and its funding withdrawn – prior to Kellett’s arrival after a number of members of the previous board were effectively forced to resign amid allegations of a conflict of interest.

Earlier this month, prominent basketball referee and insurance executive John Letizia was co-opted as a director with Clare Wardle, Basketball England’s chair, stating “his skills and experience will be of huge benefit to us in driving the sport forward, enabling us to make the best decisions for the sport.”

Kellett could not be reached for comment.

Photo: BE/Twitter