The UK Sports Institute (UKSI) delivers outstanding support that enables sports and athletes to excel. As the largest single provider of performance and health services, technology, and data to Olympic and Paralympic sports in the United Kingdom, we have played a crucial role in contributing to the success of thousands of athletes since our inception in 2002.
We passionately believe that people are at the heart of extraordinary performance and first and foremost, we support people.
We are home to almost 400 exceptional employees who are based right across the UK. Approximately 50% of our people at any given time are working in front-line roles for the national governing bodies of sports, in disciplines ranging from physiotherapy to psychology and nutrition to innovation.
Through our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, we are striving to build and nurture a culture of openness, belonging, inclusivity and pride, where potential and talent are harnessed and flourish irrespective of background, thought and experience. It is vitally important to us that we look after the person, not just the professional or the performer.
As we look forward, we are focused on supporting even more sports and athletes with our holistic, people-first approach. We will continue to work alongside our colleagues at the other home nations’ institutes to help grow and maintain a thriving sporting system. We will also do our upmost to inspire positive change through the power of sport, acting as a thought leader whilst acknowledging that we can learn from others too.
Our values are that We Care, We Collaborate, We Innovate and We Excel. We would welcome an apprentice who shares these values and would feel supported to positively challenge our thinking and encourage us to be bold and innovative.
Why the UKSI is supporting Boardroom Apprentice
People are at the heart of what we do as an organisation so it feels very natural to be part of a scheme which helps develop people in a different way – this time as future board members.
We have had members of UKSI benefit from being Boardroom Apprentices in the first two pilot years (2023 and 2024) and we have been a host board in 2024. As a result our people and the organisation as a whole have already benefited from the programme and we want to be able to continue to provide opportunities to our own people and receive the benefit of having our own Boardroom Apprentice.
Like many boards we are continually thinking about ensuring there is a diverse range of voices, not only by characteristic but by thought and perspective, reflected around the Board table as we think this will enable us to deliver the best results. We have seen over the last year that the addition of a Boardroom Apprentice is another way in which we can continue to build a diverse Board and we want to keep doing this.
Whilst you don’t need to be an elite athlete to apply to join our Board as a Boardroom Apprentice, we think people who have a specific interest in any sport, or sport related disciplines, will get the most out of an apprenticeship with UKSI, considering, specifically, the role that we can play in inspiring positive change.
You will join the Board in a year when we will be focussed on implementing our new strategy for the future – looking ahead to supporting the next generation of olympians and paralympians on their journey to Milan/Cortina in 2026, Los Angeles in 2028 and beyond so we want you to come with an inquiring mind which will help ensure we deliver on our ambitions. We also think this means it is a great year for someone to join us and see how strategy translates into operational delivery.
As a people focused organisation we will leave the last word to our current Boardroom Apprentice who we asked what would you say to anyone thinking about expressing an interest in being the UKSI’s Boardroom Apprentice in 2025:
I was delighted to be partnered with UKSI in their first year as a host board. Being paired with them during a year of the Paralympics and Olympics in Paris 2024 was very exciting and there was a huge amount going on at the Board. I’ve learnt an enormous amount and have been able to input in discussions in a safe environment with an organisation which really does put people at the heart of extraordinary performance. I have been welcomed and supported throughout my programme with a very supportive buddy with UKSI and have been able to talk my learning from the training and apply at the Board. I’m very grateful to my buddy but also the Chairperson and other Board members who all have been very supportive of my journey.
Location of Board and Committee Meetings
All meetings are held face to face at our various locations around England and are full day events with usually the opportunity to travel and stay the night before and have an informal dinner with board colleagues.
Frequency and timing of board/committee meetings
We don’t have Board meetings set for 2025 yet but it is anticipated they will be in March, June, September and December with an additional Board development day at some point in the year.
Date of Board Meetings (January – December 2025)
4 March, 13 May (Board Away Day), 3 June, 16 September, 2 December
Committee of the Boards and meeting dates (January – December 2025)
We will create opportunities for our BRA to attend each of our subcommittees at least once throughout the year – these meetings are a mix of face-to-face and virtual and again although dates have not been set, attendance can be managed around the BRA’s availability. These are usually part day meetings held during the working day.
Security checks
No additional security checks needed.
Payment of travel expenses
Yes
