Following the departure of John Grosvenor, we are delighted to announce the appointment of Ian Clarke as our new Chair.
Ian joined Goalball UK in 2025 as a Non-Executive Director and Trustee and has already made a valuable contribution to the organisation. His appointment ensures a smooth transition following John’s leadership, whilst also bringing fresh perspectives and new ideas to the role. Drawing on a successful career in global advertising and marketing, Ian brings extensive governance experience, strong strategic planning expertise, and specialist knowledge in marketing and communications. These skills will help support Goalball UK’s continued growth and development at an exciting time for the sport.
Senior Independent Director, Dr Lisa Gannon, highlighted the rigorous and competitive recruitment process, confirming the organisation’s confidence in Ian’s appointment as Chair. She noted that his extensive marketing and governance expertise, combined with his natural people‑centred leadership style, will be a tremendous asset to the Board and the wider Goalball community.
To help the Goalball community get to know him better, we asked Ian three questions about his connection to the sport and his ambitions for the future.
What appealed to you about Goalball?
“I was already aware of the uniqueness of the sport through following the Paralympics, and this was reinforced when I attended Goalball events in person. I am very inspired by the skill of the players, the commitment of the officials and volunteers, and the inclusive nature of the entire Goalball community.”
What are the key positives and challenges facing Goalball?
“Goalball has so many positives. It is an incredibly exciting sport to be involved in. Importantly, Goalball is more than just a sport – it has the power to transform lives for the better. One of the biggest challenges is that awareness of the sport remains limited outside our immediate community. This, in turn, can affect investment and opportunities for growth. As a Board, we are committed to addressing this and helping more people discover and excel in the sport.”
What are your ambitions for Goalball?
“John’s tenure as Chair has seen transformative growth across all aspects of Goalball. He will be a hard act to follow. However, if I can contribute, even in a small way, to the continued success of the sport, from grassroots participation through to elite achievement, I will be delighted.”
Everyone at Goalball UK would like to congratulate Ian on his appointment and thank John for his outstanding contribution and leadership. We look forward to building on the strong foundations already in place as we continue to grow the sport and support the Goalball community across the UK.
