Commonwealth Games Wales CEO vacancy open for applications as Chris Jenkins announces his retirement after Birmingham 2022

18 months ago our CEO Chris Jenkins announced to the board his intention to retire after Birmingham Commonwealth Games. Chair of Commonwealth Games Wales (CGW) Helen Phillips is the first to pay tribute to Chris’s outstanding contribution to Commonwealth Sport in Wales and indeed across the Commonwealth.

“It is difficult for me to express how I will miss working with Chris and what a privilege it has been to see how CGW has modernised under his leadership whilst overseeing a collective commitment to enrich our athletes experience at a Games. I am thankful we are not losing him entirely and he will continue to work closely with us after his retirement in his volunteer role as Vice President for the Commonwealth Games Federation.

Our professional relationship and friendship really has been a great fit that was needed to drive a new CGW into, Delhi, Glasgow and Gold Coast and with the QBR coming soon and of course the games itself, I am sure you will want to join me in thanking Chris and show our appreciation for his work across Sport in Wales.

Chris and I, along with board members past and present firmly believe that if we get the system and support right, medals and success take care of themselves, that has always been our primary focus”

Chris Jenkins, CEO urged people to consider this role.

“I have loved every minute of my time with CGW, it has been an exciting journey that I hope will not end as I step back from CEO at CGW as Welsh sport runs through my veins. CGW has changed beyond recognition over the last 17 years, is it that long, with so many highlights along the way. For me, Delhi 2010 remains a key moment, not only the honour of being Chef de Mission of Team Wales, but the start of the move to becoming more than an organisation focussed only on an event every four years. Today, CGW is relevant every day engaging with communities, building partnerships, and working closely with all sports, Sport Wales, and Welsh Government as we address common challenges.

Throughout my time at CGW we have worked as a team to support all athletes attending a Commonwealth Games, improving, and innovating so that they can perform to a personal best. To do this, the voice of the athlete must be heard and is heard within CGW, also the views of their coaches help shape our planning.

Working with Helen as Chair and the Board of CGW has been a pleasure and I am confident of the future of CGW especially with such great team members as Cathy and Matt at CGW. After Birmingham22 I will hand over to the new CEO and continue with my role as Vice President of the Commonwealth Games Federation with my focus on its exciting Development projects. Now, we are all looking forward to the Queen’s Baton Relay as the Baton comes home to Wales on June 29th and to Birmingham22 as Team Wales enters the stadium for the Commonwealth Games”

Following Chris’s retirement, the new CEO will lead us into a further process of transition of some board roles as they come to the end of their term during the next cycle. We have already taken great strides already in succession planning and the recent appointments of Anna Stembridge and Ashton Hewitt are part of that process. We are fortunate to have a highly skilled board and staff who will welcome and support a new CEO as we all embark into a period of planning for a Youth Commonwealth Games and the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Australia.

Please click the following link for the application packs and further details on the role

Closing Date: Friday 24 June 12:00