The Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity (CIMSPA) has announced the appointment of chairs for its national and regional management boards.

Launched last year, the organisation is the professional development body for the sport and physical activity sector in the UK. Chartership status came into effect from last month.

The national and regional development boards will support CIMSPA in its bid to bring the 1 million industry professionals by representing their respective home nations and regions.

Working within their areas to support skills development, the board chairs will also support CIMSPA's central board of trustees in helping to deliver the London 2012 Olympic legacy.

The appointments are:

- Lloyd Conaway (East)
- Ian Phelps (East Midlands)
- Sheila Forster (London)
- Ian Gray (North East)
- Michael Hunt (North West)
- Paul Lyness (Northern Ireland)
- Fiona Grossart (Scotland)
- John Stride (South East)
- Lesley Coulton (South West)
- Julian Leybourne (Wales)
- Sue Briggs (West Midlands)
- Lorenzo Clark (Yorkshire and Humber)

Miles Templeman, chair of CIMSPA's board of trustees, said: "By working together, we can not only drive professional practice but also raise the profile of the sector as a whole, both within the UK and on a European level.

"Only by doing this can we present a truly attractive career pathway for rising talent and ensure the development of a workforce of tomorrow that can deliver the legacy of London 2012 far into the future."

Details: www.imspa.co.uk