Manchester Networking Event - Meaningful Approaches to Stakeholder Engagement

Ruth Miller is a senior sports governance and organisational change leader with over 20 years’ experience driving governance reform, strategic transformation and culture change across sport and physical activity.

Ruth is Head of Business Planning at British Cycling. She currently leads British Cycling’s Future Fit Governance programme, shaping the long‑term direction of governance reform and working closely with elected volunteers, executive leaders and external stakeholders to modernise structures, strengthen accountability and improve engagement across the organisation.

Ruth has an extensive track record of translating good governance into practice. At British Cycling, she led the organisation’s successful response to the Code for Sports Governance and has overseen its ongoing implementation. Her portfolio has included British Cycling’s first Environmental Sustainability Strategy and the successful implementation of Transgender Policy, and she currently plays a key leadership role across wider modernisation and growth programmes, including Digital Transformation and initiatives to modernise the sport. A core focus of her work is ensuring clarity, compliance and values‑led decision‑making in complex and sensitive areas.

Previously, Ruth transformed operations and governance at Scottish Hockey in readiness for, and to leverage, the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games. As a consultant, she developed sportscotland’s first Governance Framework and supported numerous organisations and National Governing Bodies on their governance improvement journeys.

Alongside her role at British Cycling, Ruth is a Director and Chief Operating Officer at Fair Game, where she supports board development and helps shape the future strategic direction of the organisation, while providing executive leadership across its operational delivery.

Ruth was awarded the Sports Governance Academy Outstanding Governance Contribution Award (2024) in recognition of her sustained impact and leadership in the sector. She now sits on the SGA Advisory Panel, supporting the continued development of governance capability across the sporting system.

Craig Anthony is a highly accomplished and experienced sports development professional with a passion for fostering inclusive and successful sporting environments. He has a strong background in leadership, management, and development across various sporting organisations, spanning almost 20 years in the sports sector.

Currently, Craig serves as the Chief Executive of British Wrestling, where he has overseen a 279% increase in the number of clubs and associated participation, leading the organisation in promoting the sport and helping individuals achieve their full potential. His leadership has resulted in securing increased investment from UK Sport and Sport England, and the completion of a renovation of the British Wrestling Academy. He also currently serves as a Non-Executive Director for Pentathlon GB.

Previously, he held the position of Head of Development at British Orienteering, where he oversaw significant growth in participation and commercial income. Craig's experience also includes working as NGB Development Manager for GreaterSport helping governing bodies to land participation activities in the local community. He has a proven track record of success in developing and implementing strategies, managing teams, and securing funding for sports development initiatives.

Craig's qualifications include a BSc in Sports Science with Management from Loughborough University and attendance at the Sport England Cranfield University Leadership and Management Course. He is a strong advocate for the power of sport to transform lives and is committed to ensuring that sport is accessible to all.

As Head of Football Development at Manchester Football Association, Kathryn plays a central role in developing and shaping the future of grassroots football across the region. In this capacity, she leads on supporting the organisation to achieve the FA’s Code of Governance, while also driving forward Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) priorities and the Game for All standard, ensuring these frameworks are meaningfully embedded and interconnected internally within the County FA and externally within grassroots football clubs.

Alongside this role, Kathryn contributes strategically as a Board Observer for Kick it Out, and EDI Non-Executive Director at Oldham Active and as a Board Trustee for Rotherham United Community Trust chairing their ESG sub committee. In these wider roles, Kathryn supports initiatives that widen participation, strengthen community connections, and promote inclusive opportunities through sport.

In parallel with her professional work, Kathryn is also an active footballer, currently playing for Leeds United Women. This lived experience of the game provides valuable insight, enabling her to support and inspire the next generation of players both on and off the pitch.

With a background that includes roles as a School Sports Partnership Manager and a Primary School Teacher, Kathryn offers a unique perspective on the intersection of education, sport, and community development. Within this, she is keen to widen the reputation of Governance and share the  benefits of ‘Good Governance’ across more organisations and areas of her work, ensuring sport remains accessible, representative, and impactful for all.