Former Welsh Gymnastics Chair Helen Phillips MBE voted onto the Commonwealth Games Federation Board

Former Welsh Gymnastics Chair Helen Phillips MBE has been voted onto the Board of the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF), as Regional Vice President for Europe.

The announcement was made at the at the CGF’s General Assembly in Singapore earlier this week.

Helen, who became the first female Chair of Commonwealth Games Wales (CGW) in 2013, has held an integral role within the organisation, supporting the planning and delivery of five Commonwealth Games.

She has been a key member of the CGF Sports Committee and was awarded an MBE in 2019 for services to Welsh Gymnastics and is the current President of both Commonwealth Games Wales and British Gymnastics.

“I am thrilled to be given a strong mandate by members to become the Regional Vice President for Europe on the Commonwealth Games Federation Board,” she said.

“The Commonwealth movement is something I am passionate about, and I am committed to supporting the team to ensure a Commonwealth Games is found for the next cycle and the future of this unique event is secure.”

Congratulations also to Chris Jenkins OBE, former CEO of Commonwealth Games Wales, who has been announced as the new President of the CGF.

Chris, who was one of three vice-presidents at the CGF, will take over from Dame Louise Martin, who has held the position since 2015.

Chris first joined CGW in 2005, later becoming CEO in 2010, delivering teams across five Games and four youth Games. He stepped down in 2022 after 12 years of leading Team Wales as the Chief Executive. He also chaired the CGF Development Committee and sat on the Performance and Remuneration Committee with Dame Louise.

Chris was awarded an OBE in the King’s first Birthday Honours earlier this year.

Chair of CGW, Gareth Davies, added “It’s excellent news to have both Helen and Chris voted onto the CGF Board.

“They have both demonstrated exceptional commitment to the Commonwealth Games, both at CGF level and with Team Wales. I have no doubt they will do an outstanding job in their respective roles going forward.

“We as CGW look forward to working under Chris’ leadership over the coming months and years and I would like to congratulate them both on behalf of the CGW Board and members on their well-deserved appointments.”