The former England netball player and acclaimed leader will bring with her 30 years of sports industry experience.

During her time at The FA Louise has helped to double participation in women’s and girls’ grassroots football, was instrumental in working with key commercial partners, including Sport England and UEFA, to grow the women’s game, and launched an award-winning disability football programme. She also played a key role in the transformational legacy of the Lionesses’ historic EURO 2022 win across grassroots football and in curricular and extra-curricular school participation.

Prior to joining The FA in 2017, Louise was Assistant Director for Development at the Youth Sport Trust, the UK’s leading children's charity ​for improving the education and development of young people through play and sport.

In her new role at Loughborough, she will be responsible for strategic development, performance sport, commercial growth and development work of Loughborough Sport. The remit includes working with a multitude of industry partners, managing Loughborough’s enviable array of high-performance sports and facilities, developing the next generation of sports leaders, and managing elite and recreational programmes.

Speaking about her appointment Professor Jo Maher, the University’s Pro Vice-Chancellor for Sport, said: “I’m absolutely delighted that Louise will be joining the incredible Loughborough Sport team.

“Sport is in our DNA and we are proud of the unique sporting ecosystem we have been able to create at the University. Louise brings with her decades of experience working across this sector, as well as the unique insight of what it takes to perform as an athlete and leader at the highest level in sport.”

Louise added: “It is a privilege to be joining Loughborough, the world’s number one university for sport. This opportunity to advance sport at all levels, raise the bar even higher and lead such a talented Loughborough Sport team, is one that excites me immensely.”