Basketball England has confirmed the appointment of Victoria Ward as its new Chief Executive Officer. Ward, who becomes the first female CEO in the history of the national governing body, takes over from interim chief executive Nigel Walker. The transition also sees Ward replacing Walker on the newly established Great Britain Interim Delivery Group.
The appointment follows a recruitment process managed by executive search firm GatenbySanderson alongside a panel of basketball stakeholders. Ward brings over ten years of executive leadership experience within sports administration and charitable organisations. Her background includes serving as CEO of Welsh Gymnastics from 2023 to 2025 and leading the Welsh Sports Association between 2014 and 2022. Her previous commercial work involves managing the host nation commercial programme for the 2010 Ryder Cup and coordinating Coca-Cola’s community initiatives across Wales and the West.
“I am delighted to be joining Basketball England at such a defining moment for the sport. 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,” Ward said. “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. With the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow this summer and the continued rise of 3×3 basketball creating new energy and visibility for our sport, there is a huge opportunity to further build on the tremendous momentum for the men’s and women’s game in the UK. Finally, 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.”
The administrative shift comes at a time of operational expansion for Basketball England, following the recent launch of its 2025-29 strategic plan and a major digital upgrade to its competition tracking software. The organisation concluded its 2025/26 campaign with 43,000 registered members, marking an eight per cent annual rise. The National Basketball League also registered a record 1,000-plus teams, indicating a five per cent increase compared to the previous season.
Furthermore, the governing body has assisted in allocating over £1 million from Sport England’s Movement Fund to develop grassroots projects. The association will also oversee Team England’s basketball delegation at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games this summer, looking to replicate the gold and silver medals won during the Birmingham 2022 tournament.
Basketball England chair Paul Blanchard said: “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. 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: “Victoria has the leadership qualities to make a difference in growing our sport. 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. 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 lifelong advocate for women and girls in all roles in our sport, I believe it is one that should be celebrated.”
