Physical activity sector representative body ukactive is to elect a new board early in the new year with fewer members, following a formal review of the organisation’s governance structure.

ukactive announced in June that a governance evaluation – led by management specialist Portas Consulting – would take place as part of the body’s ongoing repositioning from health and fitness representative to wider physical activity advocate.

The ukactive board had previously agreed in March 2014 that a new administration was required, featuring a streamlined panel of between eight and 12 board members. It was also concluded that there was a need for a wider range of specialist knowledge, networks and experience, with female members making up at least 25 per cent of the remodelled board.

At the ukactive AGM on 28 November – where the review recommendations were formally approved – it was announced that all 22 members of the existing board would resign, with the exception of chair Fred Turok and treasurer Debra Stuart, who would be retained during the transitional period.

During the meeting, ukactive public affairs director Stephen Wilson explained that the Oversight and Scrutiny Committee – which monitored the formal review by Portas – will now act as the Nominations Committee for the new board. The Committee is comprised of former ukactive board members Phil Rumbelow, CEO of Jubilee Hall Trust; Max Sharp, who is the CEO of ESPH; and ukactive CEO David Stalker; with Sporta CEO Brian Leonard acting as the independent committee member. Outgoing chair Fred Turok will also join this committee to support the recruitment of his successor, stepping down once this priority task has been achieved. According to a communique circulated to ukactive members last week, the election process for board positions and the membership council will also be announced shortly.