UK Athletics
UK Athletics can confirm that Joanna Coates and Sara Symington have given notice from their respective roles, chief executive officer and performance director.
Mark Munro, current development director, will take over as interim CEO for a period of six months to provide strategic continuity and leadership to the staff, athletes, and coaches and will prioritise working with the board to start the recruitment process for both roles.
Chair of UK Athletics, Ian Beattie, said: “I’d like to thank Jo and Sara for their work during their time at UK Athletics and I wish them both all the best for the future”.
Yet more turmoil at UK Athletics where CEO Joanna Coates quits after less than 2 years in post, along with her performance director Sara Symington who she appointed last year.
— Dan Roan (@danroan) October 21, 2021
Coates had been tasked with leading UKA's recovery after a sustained period of crisis & controversy.
Further information on the chief executive and performance director roles will follow in due course.
Jack Rathborn of The Independent wrote (Oct. 21, UK Athletics crisis deepens as Joanna Coates quits as chief executive),
“UK Athletics has been sent into further turmoil after the shock resignation of chief executive Joanna Coates, while performance Director Sara Symington has also departed.
The major shakeup comes after a disappointing Tokyo Olympics with financial challenges and a failure to push through reforms also playing a part.”
More to come of this.
