Ep 32. Baroness Sue Campbell – changing the world through sport

A Question of Performance

Episode 32 is an interview about the extraordinary power of sport with – Baroness Sue Campbell. It’s an interview about culture and purpose, how you bring people together and how you create a cadre of individuals who believe in something bigger than themselves.

It’s a conversation which reminds us about what’s important and gives an insight into the passion and purpose which drives one of the most influential women in sport.

Sue Campbell trained as a physical education teacher, taught in Manchester and lectured at Leicester and Loughborough Universities. During this time, Sue represented her country as a player, a coach and a team manager. She then went on to spend four years as a regional officer with the Sports Council (now Sport England) before moving to the National Coaching Foundation (NCF). Following 11 years as the Chief Executive of the NCF, she became Chief Executive of the Youth Sport Trust. In February 2005, Sue became Chair of that organisation until December 2017. Sue was appointed Head of Women’s Football with The Football Association in March 2016, and became Director of Women’s Football in January 2018.

Among many honours, Sue has received 11 honorary doctorates and in June 2003, Sue was awarded a Commander of the British Empire for her services to sport.

In April 2005 she was appointed as Chair for UK Sport, following 18 months as the Reform Chair. Sue held this position for two terms until April 2013, where she presided over Team GB and Paralympic GB’s incredible performance at the London 2012 games.

In December 2008 Sue was appointed to the House of Lords as an independent Crossbench Peer.

Sue was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2012 Sunday Times Sportswomen of the Year Awards.