The British Volleyball Federation is delighted to announce the appointment of Kate Richardson-Walsh OBE and Nabila Zulfiqar as new Independent Non-Executive Directors to the Board.
Kate joins as Performance Lead, while Nabila takes on the role of Governance & Legal Lead, further strengthening British Volleyball’s leadership as we continue to grow the sport and its performance pathway across the UK.
Kate Richardson-Walsh OBE – Independent Non-Executive Director, Performance Lead
One of Great Britain’s most respected sporting leaders, Kate Richardson-Walsh brings unparalleled experience from over 15 years at the highest level of international sport.
As captain of Team GB’s women’s hockey team, Kate led her side to Olympic gold in Rio 2016 and bronze in London 2012, earning 375 international caps and four Olympic appearances across a remarkable career.
Since retiring from elite competition, Kate has become an influential coach, speaker, and consultant, specialising in leadership, high-performance culture, and athlete welfare. Her experience spans national and international programmes including coaching roles with China and Canada Hockey, and leadership consultancy across business, sport, and education through her company Be Create Inspire Ltd.
Kate’s appointment reflects British Volleyball’s commitment to fostering performance excellence and a strong, connected team culture. Her unique insight as an Olympic champion from a team sport environment brings an invaluable perspective to British Volleyball’s next phase of growth and Olympic ambition.
Nabila Zulfiqar – Independent Non-Executive Director, Governance & Legal Lead
A senior legal and regulatory leader, Nabila Zulfiqar joins the Board with over 15 years of experience shaping governance, professional standards, and regulatory policy across sectors including law, education, sport, and media.
Nabila is currently Chair of The FA’s National Serious Case Panel and has held senior leadership positions at the Solicitors Regulation Authority, General Teaching Council, and Architects Registration Board, among others. She was one of the first independent non-executive directors of the National League and Chair of its Risk Committee. She is currently the Chair of the National League Trust.
Widely recognised for her strategic insight, integrity, and commitment to fairness, Nabila has transformed governance and adjudication systems to deliver transparency, accountability, and trust. Her appointment marks a significant step in strengthening British Volleyball’s governance and risk management.
Strengthening Leadership for the Future
The addition of Kate and Nabila enhances the Board’s collective expertise as British Volleyball continues to develop its strategic priorities for Los Angeles 2028 and beyond. Their appointments reflect a clear commitment to world-class performance, robust governance, and inclusive growth across the sport.
“We’re thrilled to welcome Kate and Nabila to the Board. Both bring exceptional experience, insight and leadership, and I’m genuinely excited about the energy and expertise they will add to our team. Their contributions will be invaluable as we continue to strengthen British Volleyball’s governance and performance systems and inspire the next generation of athletes.”
Mark Kontopoulos, Chair, British Volleyball Federation