England Golf has appointed a new Senior Independent Director to its Board.
Wasim Haq has taken up the position to fill the vacancy created when Martha Brass stepped down this summer to accept an executive role with BBC Productions.
Haq, 53, has enjoyed a successful business career spanning four decades, and brings with him a high level of expertise in business management and strategy as well as commercial experience and knowledge of the sports industry and media.
For the past seven years, Haq has acted as managing partner of his own sport-focused executive search business, First Team Partners, and currently holds a number of advisory roles within the sports sector as a member of The FA Council and Inclusion Advisory Board, the LTA Council and as a board member at Essex County Cricket Club.
The married father of two is also a keen golfer, playing off a single-figure handicap as a member at Royal Wimbledon Golf Club.
“I am honoured and delighted to be joining the board of England Golf,” commented Haq. “I love the game and it has been a big part of my sporting and family life ever since I was introduced to it in my thirties by my father-in-law.
“Through my son’s participation in England Golf events as a junior I began to learn more about the development of the game. At that time, I said to myself that if I ever got the opportunity to get more involved in driving participation, promoting access to the game and visibility of the sport then I would take it.
“I’m passionate about working with the England Golf Board and Executive, counties and clubs to build on all the positives, and to contribute wherever I can from my professional experience. There are many things that different sports can learn from each other, and I hope that the positive lessons I have taken from my involvement in cricket, football and tennis can be of some help to England Golf as we move forward.
“I’m driven by creating opportunities for everyone so that they can be empowered by everything sport has to offer. When it comes to inclusivity, I start from the point of asking myself ‘what is it that makes my life better?’ Once you identify these positives, then you can start to share these opportunities and experiences with others – regardless of their age, ability, gender, ethnicity or sexuality. It’s about trying to create a level playing field for everyone.”
In welcoming Haq to the board, England Golf CEO Jeremy Tomlinson said: “Wasim is an outstanding addition to our board and brings with him a creative energy and passion for the game of golf. His business background and his experience of working at the highest level in other sports will, I’m sure, prove invaluable to the board as we continue to build on golf’s recent growth in participation and its evolution as a progressive sport for the modern era.”