DCMS seeks new non-executive directors for UK Anti-Doping’s Board

• Two new non-executive director positions open for UK Anti-Doping’s Board 
• Applications close 18 November 2025 
• Dr Frances Akor and Professor Nicola Philips OBE step down from the Board as their terms come to an end 

The Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) has announced that individuals with a professional interest in clean sport can apply for two new non-executive positions on the UK Anti-Doping (UKAD) Board. 

The Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport is seeking experts with specialisms in pharmaceuticals, sports medicine, physiotherapy, nutrition, or in similar disciplines to apply. These expertise areas are crucial for UKAD's work to protect sport from doping.  

The appointment process aims to find successors for Dr Frances Akor, a Consultant Pharmacist at Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, and Professor Nicola Phillips OBE, an internationally recognised Sports Physiotherapy Specialist and Emerita Professor at Cardiff University. Frances and Nicola have spent eight years providing expertise and guidance to UKAD and will stand down shortly as their final terms end.  

Commenting on their tenure, Chair of the UKAD Board, Simon Lewis, said: 

“I want to thank Frances and Nicola for their dedication and expertise. They’ve made exceptional contributions to UKAD’s mission, helping to protect the integrity of sport. Among other things, Nicola has been our Vice Chair and Frances has led our Innovation Commission. 

“The Board is made up of high-quality individuals, with diverse experience, and with a shared goal of promoting clean and healthy sport that the public can trust and enjoy. UKAD is a fascinating organisation – informed by best practice from fields such as science, education, investigations and law. It has some world-leading capabilities. It cuts across the sporting landscape, working with partners both domestically and internationally. 

“This is an important time to join UKAD and to contribute to the wider anti-doping community. I’d encourage anyone who thinks they could make a significant contribution and would enjoy being part of an ambitious public-interest organisation, to apply.” 

Applications for the UKAD Board close at 11:55pm on 18 November 2025. The Secretary of State will make the final appointments with advice from the DCMS. 

To apply and find out more on Gov.uk.