Jo Coates named interim CEO of England Hockey

England Hockey is pleased to announce that Jo Coates will take on the role of Interim CEO for up to six months, starting 14 April 2025. 

Coates brings extensive leadership experience, having served as CEO of England Netball and UK Athletics. At England Netball, she secured major partnerships, expanded broadcast reach, and led the team to Commonwealth Games gold in 2018. At UK Athletics, she introduced a new governance structure, improved collaboration between home nations, and implemented a 12-year strategic plan while overseeing major competitions. More recently, she has held interim CEO roles at British Wheelchair Basketball and British University and College Sport (BUCS), focusing on governance and commercial strategy. 

At England Hockey, Coates will oversee the rollout of the new membership proposition and preparations for the 2027 EuroHockey Championships. She does not plan to pursue the role on a permanent basis, and recruitment for a full-time CEO will begin in the coming weeks. 

On her appointment, Coates said “I am excited to support England Hockey during this period of transition. Hockey is a fantastic sport with great potential, and I look forward to working with the team to continue its progress. My focus will be on ensuring stability and driving key strategic initiatives before a permanent CEO is appointed.” 

Kath Russ, Chair of England Hockey, said: “We are delighted to have Jo as Interim CEO. Her experience in leading governing bodies and strategic expertise will be invaluable during this transition. I look forward to working with her over the coming months.  

“I also want to sincerely thank Nick for his dedication to England Hockey and wish him the best for the future.”