The British Elite Athletes Association is delighted to appoint triple Olympic medallist Kelly Sotherton MBE as Chief Executive Officer.

Kelly competed in various disciplines during her decade-long international career, most prominently in heptathlon and the 4x400m relay, but also in the long jump and pentathlon.

She won bronze at the 2004 Athens Olympics in the heptathlon and bronzes in both the heptathlon and the 4x400m for Beijing 2008. Also during her sporting career, Kelly became a double world medallist, Commonwealth Games champion, and triple European silver medallist.

Outside of competition she founded British Athletics’ Athletes’ Commission, where she remains an advisor; acted as Team England’s Athletics Team Leader at the 2022 Commonwealth Games; coached in cricket, rugby, and track and field; and held the role of Talent Coach Development Manager at Sport England.

Kelly joins the BEAA ready for the LA cycle, after the association provided support for one in eight World Class Programme athletes in the buildup to Paris.

She said of the appointment: “Support and representation are so important for elite athletes, ensuring they’re able to access independent advice and somewhere to amplify their voice. From my own career I know how important having an effective athlete association is, so it’s a privilege to join the BEAA at such an exciting and pivotal time. I very much look forward to starting to work alongside our partners, stakeholders, staff, Board and members at the first opportunity.”

BEAA Chair Dominic Mahony MBE added: “On behalf of the Board, staff and membership, I’m delighted to welcome Kelly to the BEAA. After a thorough recruitment process, her experience as an athlete, standing within wider sport, and passion for athlete representation stood out. We all very much look forward to working with Kelly in supporting, representing and providing a community for our athlete members.”

Kelly will commence work with the BEAA in December, taking over from Anna Watkins MBE.