Adrian Christy, CEO of Table Tennis England, has informed the Board that he wishes to step down from his role in December 2024 and transition into a new world of retirement.

Adrian has spent more than 30 years in the sports sector and, in his statement which you can read in full below, talks about “working with some extraordinarily talented people, and having the privilege to share in some amazing sporting moments.”

Commenting on Adrian’s decision, Table Tennis England Chair, Nick Donald, said: “Adrian joined Table Tennis England in December 2021, at an incredibly challenging time for the sport and the sector more widely. Emerging from the pandemic he has led the organisation in re-shaping its strategy and reforming its governance structure to be far leaner, more focused and aligned to its growth ambition.

“Through the adoption of our strategy, Table Tennis United, the game is becoming more visible and accessible within communities and the newly established Area Network is connecting more clubs, leagues, coaches and volunteers. We have established a network of Pathway Development Centres and a new Elite Training Centre in Sheffield.

“Adrian has driven the formation of a new and innovative partnership between Table Tennis England and the International Table Tennis Federation in order to stage major international events in this country, including the World Team Table Tennis Championships which have been awarded to London in 2026.

“Adrian has worked tirelessly to promote Table Tennis England, while having to endure some devastating family health issues over the past six months. We will be sorry to see Adrian leave but we will now focus on a process to appoint his successor, knowing that TTE has a strong platform from which to drive its growth potential.”

Adrian’s statement

After more than 30 years in the sports sector, having been blessed to work with some extraordinarily talented people and having had the privilege to share in some amazing sporting moments, I have taken the decision to step down from my role as Chief Executive at Table Tennis England at the end of this year and transition into a new world of retirement. 

I am making this announcement now as I feel it is important to give Nick and the Board sufficient time to find a new leader of the organisation. 

I joined Table Tennis England in December 2021 and immediately saw the potential to grow. With the adoption of our strategy, Table Tennis United, table tennis is becoming more visible and accessible to communities, and through our new Area Network the sport is connected to more clubs, leagues, coaches and volunteers at local level.

Our talent and performance programme has established a network of Pathway Development Centres and an Elite Training Centre at the EISS Sheffield.

We have developed a groundbreaking partnership with the ITTF and WTT that is already staging major international table tennis events in this country, we have won the bid to stage the World Team Table Tennis Championships in London in 2026 and our governance structure is far leaner and more focused on supporting the ambitions of our strategy.

While stepping away from a role I love is hard, those close to me will know the devastating, but profound, effect the past six months have had on me and my family, causing my perspective on so much to change. The demands required of a full-time CEO needs a level of energy that I cannot commit to, and I therefore know the time is right for me, and the organisation, to step aside.

Over the months to come, I will take every opportunity to thank those who have played such an important part in my career, and who have contributed so much to my learning and development. But I’m not done just yet and until I do step away, I will continue to give my all in the way I always have.