Mike Farrar is stepping down as Chair of ukactive after being appointed interim Permanent Secretary of the Department of Health in Northern Ireland.
He will be taking up his new role in April following his final appearance as ukactive Chair at Active Uprising 2025, which takes place on 6 March at the QEII Centre in Westminster.
Mike has been Chair of ukactive since taking over from Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson in June 2022 and has helped to grow the sector’s relationship with the NHS and care services, including the co-design of a new blueprint for integrated care systems.
Mike’s new role will see him replacing the current Permanent Secretary, Peter May, who is retiring from the Northern Ireland Civil Service.
Mike’s previous roles in the NHS in England include Chief Executive of the NHS Confederation, Head of Primary Care at the Department of Health in London, and Chief Executive of Health Authorities in North West England, Yorkshire and Tees.
He also served as Vice and Interim Chair of Sport England between 2009 to 2012, and Chair of Swim England from 2015 to 2020.
The recruitment of a new ukactive Chair will be overseen by ukactive’s Treasurer, Katy Cox, who will also act as interim Chair until Mike’s successor is appointed.
Mike Farrar said: “It has been a privilege to be Chair of ukactive and play a part in shaping the future of this fantastic organisation and sector.
“I wish to thank my colleagues, our partners and all ukactive’s members for supporting this important period in our journey and strategy for growth.
“I am confident that I will leave the Board, the organisation and the sector in a strong position to continue our growth and realise our vision for physical activity in the UK.”
Huw Edwards, CEO of ukactive, said: “Mike has been a tremendous ally for the organisation and the sector, instrumental in driving forward the work to integrate the physical activity sector with the health and care sector.
“We are sad to see him leave but we are extremely grateful for his stewardship over the past three years and wish him all the best in his new role.”
The ukactive Board will agree a recruitment process for a permanent new Chair and will provide an updated timeline in due course.
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