Board Member

UK Anti-Doping is looking to recruit two new board Directors to fill vacancies arising in June 2026 when two current members complete their second terms on the UKAD Board. The Board has identified the skill sets it requires to discharge its role in ensuring the organisation retains its status as a world leading NADO. Specifically, these are:

• An individual with a background in sports medicine or allied profession with experience in the role of athlete support personnel.
• Someone with credible experience in pharmacology or a related discipline who will chair the UKAD Innovation Commission.

These roles will further help UKAD continue to develop its anti-doping activities and champion wider sport integrity. The UKAD Board is appointed by the Secretary of State for DCMS and is made up of nine non-executive Board Members, including the Chair.

Responsibilities

• Establishing the overall strategic direction of the organisation, working collaboratively with the Chair and a broad range of key stakeholders.
• Holding the UKAD executive to account and providing assurance to government as UKAD’s principal funders.
• Acting as a strong advocate for the work of UKAD, including working to ensure effective communication with key partners and stakeholders (e.g., Government, UK Sport, the Home Country Sports Councils, law enforcement agencies and National Governing Bodies) both in the UK and internationally.
• Attending Board meetings, committees, and panels as appropriate.
• Ensuring good governance, monitoring performance, and helping to develop a supportive relationship with the executive staff to deliver a corporate strategy.
• Ensuring that UKAD always observes the highest standards of ethical and corporate behaviour, and that the organisation’s reputation is protected and promoted.
• Supporting UKAD in ensuring the development of an effective equality and diversity strategy, and in addition to its oversight role acting as ambassadors for EDI.

UK Anti-Doping (UKAD) is the United Kingdom’s independent National Anti-Doping Organisation (NADO) and was set up in 2009. UKAD is responsible for the implementation of the Government’s National Anti-Doping Policy for sport. Dedicated to protecting clean sport, it has established itself as a world leading NADO. Using intelligence and investigations together with well-developed education and testing programmes, UKAD has been highly successful in deterring doping and catching athletes and athlete support personnel guilty of Anti-Doping Rule Violations.

Person specification

All candidates will need to demonstrate in their application that they meet the majority of the following essential criteria to a high standard:

• A clear understanding of the work, priorities and challenges of UKAD and the need for doping free sport and wider sports integrity.
• An understanding of strategic decision-making and planning at a senior level in the private or public sector.
• The ability to work closely with the executive board and other key stakeholders, providing support, constructive challenge and assurance as appropriate.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to listen, accept challenge and constructively challenge others in discussions with clarity and respect.
• The ability to build and maintain relationships with senior members of government, sports and law enforcement agencies, and other key stakeholders.
• The ability to work well with people from different backgrounds and a commitment to improving diversity and equality.
• A strong commitment to engaging communities outside of London, and factoring UK-wide perspectives into all decision making.

Additional Criteria

Sports Medicine

• A knowledge and understanding of the nature of treatments and medication provided to athletes and the associated risks.
• Experience of supporting athletes in major games and competitions, or at the elite level.
• Experience as a qualified medical practitioner, or allied health practitioner, such as a physiotherapist, nutritionist etc.

Pharmaceuticals

• Knowledge of the pharmacology and/or pharmacokinetics of drugs used therapeutically and illicitly and how they enhance performance and their other deleterious effects.
• Experience of working with athletes and advising them on safe and appropriate use of medicines, supplements, and herbal remedies.