The Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport has
appointed Rachel Baillache and Rupen Shah as Members of the UK
Sport.
Rachel Baillache
Appointed as a Board Member (Chair of Audit and Risk Committee)
from 01 September 2022 until 31 August 2026.
Rachel is a general sports enthusiast. She is currently the
Senior Independent Director at the LTA where she chairs the Audit
and Risk Committee. She is also the LTA Board sponsor for
Inclusion and Diversity. Rachel is also an Independent
Non-Executive Director of Somerset County Cricket Club where she
Chairs the Audit and Risk Committee. She is the Chair of the
mental health charity Minds@Work.
Rachel was a partner at KPMG for over twenty years where she
served as an audit partner and for eight years, until her
retirement, she was also a member of KPMG International’s Global
Executive serving as the global head of people, performance and
culture and as the executive responsible for global
communications. She has worked extensively abroad living in
continental Europe, Asia and Africa. She is a qualified chartered
accountant and was a fellow of the chartered Institute of
Personnel and Development.
Rupen Shah
Appointed as a Board Member from 01 September 2022 until 31
August 2026.
Growing up a stone’s throw away from Wembley Stadium, it was
almost impossible for Rupen not to be inspired by elite sport
from an early age. Whether it was an England home international
or FA Cup Final day, the excitement generated in the local area
cemented his passion and enthusiasm for it. Rupen is now a
powerful advocate for sport and believes in the transformational
effect it can have on people’s lives and society.
Qualifying as a chartered accountant with KPMG, Rupen spent
several years working strategically with high profile clients and
also completed a secondment to India. He went on to become the
Chief Financial Officer of the Football Foundation, the UK’s
largest sports charity set up by the Government, The FA and
Premier League. Rupen combines substantial expertise in
commercial, charity and public finance with a real grasp of the
challenges participants face when engaging and competing in
sport.
Alongside his professional journey, Rupen developed a
longstanding relationship with Arsenal FC for over a decade,
which included several voluntary and part-time roles. This saw
him deliver local community programmes, coaching clinics in 14
countries and coaching elite female players in the Academy, many
of whom have now become, and will become, Lionesses.
Rupen now enjoys mentoring the next generation of talented sport
enthusiasts, spending time with his family and travelling the
world. He also continues his charitable work to tackle
inequalities through trustee roles in sport and beyond, including
Women In Sport and The Legal Education Foundation.
Remuneration and Governance Code
This role is remunerated at £218 per day. These appointments have
been made in accordance with the Cabinet Office’s Governance Code
on Public Appointments. The appointments process is regulated by
the Commissioner for Public Appointments. Under the Code, any
significant political activity undertaken by an appointee in the
last five years must be declared. This is defined as including
holding office, public speaking, making a recordable donation, or
candidature for election. Rachel Baillache and Rupen Shah have
not declared any activity.
