Natalie Ceeney CBE and Dr Rashmi Becker MBE have been reappointed to the board of Sport England

Natalie Ceeney CBE

Natalie Ceeney CBE has a career spanning the public and private sector, having led the Financial Ombudsman Service and National Archives as CEO, and with a career including roles on the UK Executive of HSBC and as a McKinsey strategy consultant. She is now a non executive director, and is also on the Board of Anglian Water LTD, and Ford Credit Europe (Bank).

Natalie has a lifelong passion for inclusion and sport, and has worked with Sport England since 2018 as Chair of the Investment Committee and, more recently, as Deputy Chair. Natalie is also a member of the government Sports Survival Fund, which has been active in supporting sports through the loss of income resulting from the covid pandemic.

Dr Rashmi Becker MBE

With over 25 years’ experience in communications, policy and disability advocacy, Rashmi has worked in the UK and internationally in a range of fields including sport, healthcare, social care, and the arts. Rashmi worked as a press and policy expert in the UK Civil Service at the Department of Education and Employment, Foreign and Commonwealth Office and with the European Commission and European Parliament.

This followed with roles in the charity sector with the Wellcome Trust, and as Executive Director for a national disability care provider. Rashmi also worked internationally, in the UAE for national healthcare and biotechnology developments.

Passionate about the benefits of physical activity on quality of life, Rashmi was a Board member of Activity Alliance, where she helped develop their charter for improving disabled people’s participation in sport. She is the founder of Step Change Studios which provides dance opportunities for disabled people.

Rashmi’s work has been recognised through numerous accolades including a National Learning Disabilities and Autism Award for Outstanding Contribution to Innovation; One Dance UK Award for Innovation; and an MBE for services to disabled people. Rashmi holds a PhD in Psychiatry from the University of Cambridge and is guardian to her disabled brother.

Sport England Board Members are remunerated at £218 per day. Natalie Ceeney and Rashmi Becker were initially reappointed to six month second terms. Natalie Ceeney’s second term has been extended by six months. Rashmi Becker has subsequently been reappointed to a third term of two years and six months.

These reappointments have been made in accordance with the Cabinet Office’s Governance Code on Public Appointments.

The process is regulated by the Commissioner for Public Appointments. The Government’s Governance Code requires that any significant political activity undertaken by an appointee in the last five years is declared. This is defined as including holding office, public speaking, making a recordable donation or candidature for election. Natalie Ceeney and Rashmi Becker have declared no such activity.