Sport Industry Group

Dame Tanni to receive peerage- 5 Feb 2010 00:00:00

Dame Tanni Grey-Thompson, Britain’s most successful Paralympian, has been recommended by the House of Lords Appointments Commission for a peerage.

In her new role, Tanni will sit on the crossbenches in the House of Lords and will bring her wealth of experience and authority to bear to contribute effectively to the work of the House.

As one of the most renowned athletes in the world, Tanni will have a significant impact on House discussions adding new knowledge and experiences to the debate.

She competed in five Paralympic Games, winning 11 Gold Medals, and is acknowledged as one of the most gifted and courageous sportswomen of her generation.

Now retired, Tanni still plays an active role in the administration of sport. Amongst other positions she is a consultant to the London 2012 Organising Committee, a Laureus Sport for Good Foundation Ambassador, non-executive director of UK Athletics, on the board of Transport for London and is an International Inspiration Ambassador for Unicef. In 2005, she was made ‘Dame’ Tanni Grey-Thompson DBE for her services to sport.

Tanni is one of four new non-party-political peers recommended by the House of Lords Appointments Commission alongside Sir Michael Bichard, Chair of the Design Council and Director of the Institute for Government; Tony Hall, Chief Executive of the Royal Opera House and Chair of the Cultural Olympiad; and Professor Ajay Kakkar, Surgeon and Media Researcher with a special interest in thrombosis.

She becomes only the 55th non-party-political peerage recommended to the Prime Minister by the House of Lords Appointments Commission, drawn from well over 4,000 nominations.

For more information on Dame Tanni Grey-Thompson or to arrange media access please contact Lisa Norman at Benchmark Talent on 0207 240 7700 or lisa@benchmarksport.com.