Neil Emberton

Neil is the Governance, Ethics, and Integrity Lead at Sport Wales. He leads the development of effective governance and leadership in sport partners for Sport Wales and works with partners to ensure that public funding is maximised to impact on the Vision for Sport in Wales. Neil is also responsible for anti-doping within the organisation and ethics, and integrity.

Neil has a wealth of experience within sport and since joining Sport Wales in 2002, he has had various roles, including the relationship manager for a range of NGBs, Local Authorities and other National Partners. He has also led on priority projects which have focused on addressing inequalities, people development and the investment in facilities. His involvement with governance has increased significantly over the last 10 years and he played a leading role in the development of the current approach to governance and capability in Wales.

Neil believes that good governance is at the heart of an organisation’s ability to thrive and, with sport being all about people, he particularly advocates the important role of ‘soft’ governance – culture, behaviours, values, and ethics. He is delighted to be working with the other sports councils and the Sports Governance Academy and thinks that it provides an exciting opportunity for sharing challenges and solutions whilst simultaneously providing additional governance support for the sector in Wales.

Neil previously worked as a Local Authority Leisure Development Manager leading the development of sport, play, community arts and heritage. He is a graduate of Southern Illinois University and has a Diploma in Corporate Governance from the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy.