OM Alison Oliver awarded MBE in Queen's Birthday Honours list

OM Alison Oliver (1987-1989; Warner) has recently been awarded an MBE in this year's Queen's Birthday Honours list for all the work she has done for the Youth Sport Trust. This achievement is the third highest ranking award in the Order of the British Empire and is bestowed on individuals who have contributed significantly to important services in society. 

The Youth Sport Trust is a charitable organisation working to improve children’s well-being and help them towards a brighter future through beneficial sports and play. Alison has been the Chief Executive of the Youth Sport Trust since 2015 and has worked for the charity for over 15 years. Through the charity, she has played a pivotal role in a number of significant programmes, including establishing the National School Sport Partnership network and developing national youth sport organisations. In addition, Alison played a central role in the Sky Sports Living for Sport programme which was introduced in 2003 and involves athletes mentoring young people to inspire success. 

Before she was the CEO of The Youth Sport Trust, Alison started her career as a PE teacher, firstly in Essex and then becoming Head of PE at Millfield from 1996 to 1998. Following this, she worked for the University of Bath where she became the Deputy Director of Sport from 1998 to 2004, working on the English Institute of Sport project. She was also Director of Netball at the University and played a significant role in the creation of the Team Bath Netball Superleague franchise, a national premier Netball competition. This, and Alison’s other contributions to the University, led to her being recognised as an Honorary Doctor of the University of Bath in 2019. 

Her other honorary achievements include being named Leader of the Year by the Times 100 Best Companies, as well as a Trustee of the charities Chance to Shine, the Healthy Learning Trust and Change the Score, which all work towards the wellbeing and empowerment of children through health and sport. In addition, she is a Board member of the Sport for Development Coalition. This is a movement of charities seeking positive social outcomes through the intervention of sport, wellbeing, and physical activity, in sectors that may need it, such as education and criminal justice. 

Alison says “I am truly honoured and humbled to be recognised in this way. It has been an utter privilege to contribute to the education and development of young people throughout my career. I have been incredibly lucky to have worked alongside great leaders and activists all of whom have inspired and challenged me along the way. 

"I am incredibly passionate about the power of sport and I don’t believe there is anything more important, or fulfilling, than helping to build brighter futures for young people, and there is no doubt in my mind that play and sport are essential ingredients to a happy and healthy childhood.  

"I would therefore like to dedicate this honour to the staff and wider family of the Youth Sport Trust, alongside all the teachers and coaches whose incredible commitment day in and day out supports the health, happiness, and hopes and dreams of young people.”