Following an extensive recruitment process, Table Tennis England is delighted to announce Nick Donald as its new Chair, succeeding Sandra Deaton whose tenure has come to an end following nine years of outstanding service.

Nick (pictured above), who takes up the position from 1 November, brings a wealth of experience to the position, with a background in finance, investment banking and sports governance.

A chartered accountant, he spent nearly 30 years in a customer facing role with the HSBC Group. As head of UK Equity Capital Markets, he provided corporate finance advice to many of the UK’s leading companies, enabling them to raise capital. He has worked across the globe, with significant experience in Europe, Asia and the Middle East.

Nick has been involved in sport all his life, as a player, a volunteer and as a parent. He is a former non-executive director of Leicester Tigers Rugby Club and spent six years as the Senior Independent Director of England Squash. He is currently an independent director of British Canoeing, where he is Chair of the Finance Committee, and is also chair of a community cricket club.

Commenting on his appointment, Nick said: “I’m delighted to be joining the board of Table Tennis England and look forward to working with my board colleagues and our CEO, Adrian Christy, in helping to drive the implementation of our Table Tennis United strategy and in delivering a World Championships that we can all be proud of in London in 2026.

“I want to ensure that Table Tennis England is relevant, visible and connected with all our stakeholders and that our sport is accessible to all communities.”

Table Tennis England Board Director Richard Ayers, who chaired the Nominations Committee, said: “Nick was the outstanding candidate in a very strong field and a highly competitive recruitment process.

“Thank you to everyone who applied and to the team that worked on it, particularly my fellow directors Jos Kelly and Ray James, and to Sport England for their support throughout.

“We ensured a broad search and a diversity of candidates which meant the level was high to begin with, and those that made it to the interview were of an exceptional calibre. 

“I’ve been working in sport for 12 years and I’ve worked with 35 NGBs and even more football associations across Europe and I am happy to say that Nick would rank at the top of a list of their chairs.

“Put him together with our excellent CEO, Adrian Christy, and we’ve got a fantastic combination that will take the sport forward.”

Outgoing Chair, Sandra Deaton: “I’m delighted that the board have agreed to appoint Nick Donald as the new Chair of Table Tennis England.

“I have every confidence he will positively work with the directors, CEO, staff and membership to move the sport forward as it approaches some incredibly exciting opportunities.

“I have had a wonderful time during my tenure and wish Nick and the Board all the very best for the future.”