LTA Appear Ready To Make Significant Changes

Written by: Staff on 15th February 2013

LTA Appear Ready To Make Significant Changes |

Things appear to be set for a distinct change at Britain’s much criticized Lawn Tennis Association following the appointment of private equity millionaire David Gregson as the independent Chairman of Board.

2012 ended with £10.3 million of public funding withheld by Sport England because the LTA could produce insufficient evidence it could attract greater tennis participation in the United Kingdom. Several influential voices inside the British government were critical of the LTA but at the same time, chief executive Roger Draper received a £400,000 salary plus a £240,000 bonus for supposedly hitting all targets set.

Gregson has been successful in both business and charity. He co-founded the private equity firm Phoenix, which was sold to an American investment bank at the height of the market in January 2007. Currently he is Chairman of Precise Media Group, the CRI, a leading national social care charity; a Director of the London Legacy Development Corporation; and member of the Advisory Boards of both The Sutton Trust and the Education Endowment Foundation. His brief at the LTA was to oversee the board and set a new positive path for the whole organization but his mandate is obviously to shake things up.

Britain’s Minister of Sport, Hugh Robertson, is confident the new man will do the job. “I am sure that David will be an excellent chair at the LTA,” said Robertson to the Daily Telegraph. “It’s an exciting time for British tennis with Andy Murray’s success and Heather Watson and Laura Robson making headway. The challenge now for David and the LTA is to ensure the success at the top filters down into increased participation at the grass roots.”

Sport England chief executive Jennie Price is equally optimistic. “David brings a great breadth of skills and experience,” said the woman who was last year critical of the LTA’s ‘Whole Sport Plan’.

“We’ve been impressed by the LTA’s response to our feedback on their plans to get more people playing tennis. And when I met David his determination to see success in the grass-roots game was really clear.”

Among Gregson’s other current tasks he is processing Premier League soccer club West Ham United’s bid to take over the Olympic Stadium built in London’s East End for last summer’s Games.

Sir Robin Wales, mayor of NE wham which encompasses the Olympic Stadium, said of Gregson becoming chairman of the LTA: “This is a really smart appointment.

“David is someone with a social conscience who will be determined to see tennis make a difference to people’s lives in places like Newham and Tower Hamlets. I think the LTA are very lucky to have got him.”

©Daily Tennis News Wire

Topics: Andy Murray, British tennis news, David Gregson, Heather Watson, Jonny Marray, Laura Robson, Lawn Tennis Association, Lta, Sports, Tennis News