Victoria Ward appointed as Basketball England CEO

Victoria Ward has been appointed as Basketball England’s new Chief Executive Officer.

Basketball England announced Ward will succeed interim CEO Nigel Walker, whom she will also replace on the newly formed Great Britain Interim Delivery Group.

Ward becomes Basketball England’s first female CEO and joins the national governing body after more than a decade in senior leadership roles across sport, charities and membership organisations.

She was CEO of Welsh Gymnastics from 2023 to 2025, having previously led the Welsh Sports Association from 2014 to 2022.

Her background includes building financially resilient organisations through partnerships, income diversification, and strategic collaboration across government, business and civil society.

Ward has also worked across the financial and funding sector, including leading the host nation commercial programme for the 2010 Ryder Cup and working on Coca-Cola’s community programme for Wales and the West.

“I am delighted to be joining Basketball England at such a defining moment for the sport,” Ward said.

“Basketball is one of the most dynamic and fast-growing sports in the country, with an incredible ability to inspire communities, excite new and existing fans and develop world-class talent.

“I have spent my career working across sport, both in and alongside national governing bodies, helping organisations strengthen their foundations, grow sustainably and deliver real impact for their members.

“I am looking forward to bringing that experience to basketball and working with the wider game to accelerate growth, build commercial resilience, and strengthen talent pathways.

“Collectively, we can capture imaginations, maximise participation and build a modern, ambitious future for the game that reflects the passion and talent in this country and ensures basketball thrives at every level, from grassroots through to the elite game.”

Ward said the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow this summer and the continued growth of 3×3 basketball created “a huge opportunity” to build on momentum across the men’s and women’s game in the UK.

She added: “What excites me most is the opportunity to listen to and work alongside the basketball community — clubs, leagues, volunteers, players and partners — to shape a shared vision for the future.

“Together, we can unlock the full potential of basketball from local playgrounds through to the international stage and establish the UK as a leading force in basketball both on and off the court for years to come.”

Basketball England chair Paul Blanchard welcomed Ward’s appointment and said her experience would be important as the sport works towards a new governance approach across Great Britain.

“We are pleased to welcome Victoria as our new CEO as we look to build on the tremendous popularity and momentum for basketball in this country,” Blanchard said.

“We believe her experience in sports bodies and funding organisations and her open, collaborative approach, will serve her well as we, alongside our partners, build towards a new approach to the governance of the game across Great Britain.

“Victoria will play an integral role in that process and equally importantly will drive Basketball England forward as we serve the needs and demands of our members, clubs and organisations and deliver on the objectives set out for our sport in our new strategy for the game in England.

“I also want to take this opportunity to thank Nigel for his leadership and unwavering commitment during his tenure.”

Patricia Fairclough OBE, Interim Chair of the Basketball England Regions Council, said Ward had “the leadership qualities to make a difference in growing our sport”.

Fairclough added: “Her knowledge and experience in managing membership organisations and delivering commercially will serve Basketball England well and create the conditions to strengthen our infrastructure, improve performance and enhance working relationships thorough collaboration.”

Fairclough added: “On behalf of the Regional Management Committees Council, I congratulate Victoria on breaking through the glass ceiling to become BE’s first female CEO.

“It represents an important milestone and, as a lifelong advocate for women and girls in all roles in our sport, I believe it is one that should be celebrated.”

Ward was appointed following a recruitment process led by independent agency GatenbySanderson, which included expert input from an experienced group of basketball stakeholders.