- Ex-Havas Sport & Entertainment Chief Executive to take up post this month
- Okunniwa hails “exciting opportunity” to change lives of Londoners through physical activity and sport
- London Sport Vice-Chair, Richard Barker, highlights “exceptional understanding of the power of sport” as key factor in appointment
Tove Okunniwa, former Chief Executive of Havas Sport & Entertainment and Head of Marketing for BBC Sport, has today been announced as London Sport’s new Chief Executive. Tove, who also serves as deputy chair of England Boxing, will take up her post from 18 September 2017.
An experienced commercial executive, Tove has served as an independent consultant since 2015, advising clients on commercial and marketing strategies. Previously, she led the Sports and Entertainment division of global marketing consultancy Havas, and was Managing Director of WPP agency, MEC Access, during which time the agency was twice named Consultancy of the Year at the Hollis Sponsorship Awards.
Tove’s long-standing expertise in sport includes a five-year stint with BBC Sport, latterly as Head of Marketing, before moving to the organisation’s Digital arm. A passionate advocate for diversity and equality, Tove brings substantial commercial acumen and a firm belief in the importance of empowering people’s lives through physical activity and sport.
Tove said: “I am delighted to be joining London Sport, an organisation that combines my passion for the role of physical activity in promoting inclusion and equality with my love for the city I have lived in for over 30 years. This is an exciting opportunity to make a real difference to the lives of Londoners.
“Physical activity and sport are critical to the health and wellbeing of our great city, and I look forward to doing whatever I can to help achieve London’s vision of becoming the most physically active city in the world.”
Richard Barker, Vice-Chair of London Sport, said: “In a highly-competitive selection process, Tove’s experience, passion and exceptional understanding of the power of sport in London shone through. Tove’s track record with major organisations like the BBC, and her clear belief in physical activity and sport’s capacity to improve people’s lives, will be decisive factors in supporting our work now, and in the future.
“This is a critical time for our organisation, and I, and the Board of London Sport, are thrilled to welcome Tove on board at this exciting time for sport in the capital.”
Tove joins London Sport as the organisation marks the official opening of House of Sport, the new workspace established by London Sport to enable collaboration and creative thinking across the sport sector. With the organisation currently on-track
to achieve its target of getting 1,000,000 Londoners more physically active by 2020, Tove’s experience in developing new partnerships will play an important role in bringing together stakeholders across the capital to support the growth and development of London through physical activity and sport.
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Notes to Editors
Tove Okunniwa – Career Summary
- • London Sport – 2017 to date
Chief Executive Officer
- • TVE Consulting – 2015 to 2017
- • Havas Sports & Entertainment – 2014 to 2015
Chief Executive Officer
- • MEC (WPP Group) – 2007 to 2014
Managing Director, MEC Access UK & Global Solutions
- • BBC – 1996 to 2006
Head of Marketing, Digital
Head of Marketing, BBC Sport
Various Marketing Roles
About London Sport
London Sport aims to make London the most physically active city in the world. Supported by the Mayor of London and Sport England, our target is to get 1,000,000 Londoners more physically active by 2020.
London Sport has five strategic objectives:
- • Make it easier for Londoners to find the right activity, remain in it and achieve their potential
- • Get more resources by making the best use of what we have, while securing more
- • Support grassroots organisations by making the sector simpler and better
- • Create a bigger and better workforce to support activity
- • Harness the power of elite sport to create sustained grassroots activity and inspire the next generation of talent
For more information on London Sport, visit www.londonsport.org
For further information or interview opportunities, contact:
Christopher Scott | Head of Corporate Communications, London Sport
chris.scott@londonsport.org | 07498 753 851 | 020 3848 4630
