Alison Oliver MBE

CEO, Youth Sport Trust | Purpose-Led Leader | Advocate for Youth Wellbeing

Alison Oliver is the Chief Executive Officer of the Youth Sport Trust, one of the UK’s most influential charities dedicated to improving young people’s lives through the power of sport, physical activity, and play. Since taking on the role in 2015 (after joining the charity in 2004), Ali has led with heart, vision and a deeply held belief in the transformative power of movement for physical, cognitive, emotional, and social development.

Her career began as a PE teacher in Essex, later moving to become Head of PE at Millfield School, followed by a leadership role at the University of Bath where she helped shape the TEAMBath netball franchise and led the Physical Education PGCE programme. Her journey has been mission-led rather than meticulously planned, anchored by three simple values that continue to guide her, these are to work hard, make yourself useful and seize opportunities.

Under Ali’s leadership, the Youth Sport Trust has influenced policy and curriculum and led global initiatives such as the International Inspirations Pro- gramme, part of the legacy of London 2012, impacting millions of children across 20 countries.

Ali was awarded an MBE in 2020 for services to sport and young people and in the same year was named Best Leader (Not-for-Profit) in The Sunday Times 100 Best Companies Awards. She currently serves on several boards, including the Sport for Development Coalition, Youth United Foundation and The Wave Project.

Her leadership philosophy blends strategic clarity with human compassion. Whether navigating political headwinds or supporting team resilience in the face of uncertainty, she leads from the front with humility, accountability, and unwavering optimism. As she says, “People don’t need extraordinary leaders. They need leaders who help them become extraordinary.”

Ali is featured throughout the book Balancing Act, not only as a sector leader but as a case study in sustainable leadership, resilience and balancing personal mission with professional demands.

View Alison’s Top Tips For A Holistically Successful Life, along with many other tips from Balancing Act Guests and Contributors over on our Advice Wall

Listen to Alison's podcast, an extended interview originally recorded for research to inform content that now features in the book Balancing Act