Athletics has always been Tunji Akintokun’s passion. From his younger years as an elite competitor to later years as an avid spectator, the sport has provided him with a platform on which to build his professional career.
Now established as a director at a global professional service firm with various Non-Executive Director roles at social enterprises, Tunji felt a longing to give back to the sport he fell in love with.
But with no direct professional experience in the sports industry, he knew he needed to go through a period of education before he was ready to take the leap.
That is when Sport England and international executive search firm Perret Laver approached Tunji about the Diversity in Sport Leadership programme.
“I was very interested as it would give me the necessary insight into how national governing bodies in sport worked,” says Tunji. “The programme provided an excellent platform of understanding to wait for a suitable role to become available within the athletics arena.”
That is when Tunji set his sights on a role with England Athletics. He says the programme with Perrett Laver and Sport England provided him with the necessary skills and confidence to take on the role.
“It gave me vital preparation by outlining the structures within sporting bodies, the relationship with UKA and the home countries, funding and most importantly that diverse skills from a range of backgrounds were required at the board level, which gave me the confidence that my experience would be valued.”
Tunji says that the role has been a hugely rewarding one to take on alongside his full-time role. “It has offered me an opportunity to combine my passion for sport and professional skills to make a difference at grass roots level.”
Since taking up his role in England Athletics, Tunji has been active in driving diversity initiatives at all levels of the organisation, and he believes diversity at board level is key to this. “In any organisation, you can only drive diversity by ensuring people see people that look like them at the top”, he says. “In sport this is no different. Boards should reflect the people they represent, and this in itself encourage wider participation and a feeling of inclusiveness.”
Tunji’s advice for others considering a board role? “Anyone thinking of taking on a board role in sport that should reach out to someone from a diverse background on a sporting body board and ask them what it is like. They should certainly consider completing the Diversity in Sport Leadership programme and then apply for roles in sporting bodies they are interested in. Sport England and Perrett Laver have been excellent in running the Diversity in Sport Leadership programme and also highlighting opportunities within sporting bodies through their search capability.”
“My role with England Athletics has been a hugely rewarding one to take on. Diversity in athletics is something very close to my heart and this position has given me an opportunity to really drive the change I want to see.
“Personally, it has allowed me to combine my passion for a sport with my professional skills and make a difference at grass roots level, and I have learnt a huge amount to take into my full-time role in professional services.
“In any organisation, you can only improve diversity by ensuring that people see people who look like them at the top. I truly believe that Sport England and Perrett Laver’s Diversity in Sport Leadership Programme is therefore crucial in driving positive change at every level of sport.”