Prime Minister appoints Chair of Birmingham Organising Committee for 2022 Commonwealth Games

The Prime Minister has appointed John Crabtree OBE as the Chair of the 2022 Commonwealth Games Organising Committee. 

Mr Crabtree, Lord Lieutenant for the County of the West Midlands, has been appointed for four years and six months beginning from 2 July 2018. 

Tracey Crouch, Minister for Sport and Civil Society, said: 

“Birmingham 2022 will be an incredible moment for the city and leave a lasting economic and sporting legacy. 

“I am delighted that John Crabtree has been appointed as Chair. Not only is he passionate about delivering an outstanding event for the whole of the Commonwealth, he also brings with him a wealth of business experience and local knowledge to ensure we maximise the benefits for Birmingham, the West Midlands and the whole UK.”

John Crabtree OBE said: 

“I was thrilled to be selected for this role and to have the opportunity to be so directly involved in such a wonderful opportunity for the region.”

Cllr Ian Ward, Leader of Birmingham City Council, said:

“If we are to gain the benefits for Birmingham that hosting the Commonwealth Games can bring, it is crucial we have senior leadership and oversight to steer the project successfully.

“John was an outstanding candidate for the role and demonstrated a clear understanding of what the city needs from the Games – along with a wealth of knowledge and experience that can be applied to the planning and delivery of a major international event.

“As the chair of the bid team that won the Games for Birmingham, I see this appointment as a passing of the baton as the Games Partners establish the eagerly-awaited Organising Committee to start the preparations for 2022 in earnest, and I look forward to working with John in the months and years to come.”

 Chair of Commonwealth Games England Ian Metcalfe said:

 “I am delighted to welcome John as Chair of the Birmingham 2022 Organising Committee.  The 2022 Commonwealth Games are a hugely exciting opportunity for Birmingham, the wider West Midlands and for England. John is passionate about sport and has anchored his life in the region.  I know John recognises the unique opportunity that these Games present to communities across Birmingham, the West Midlands and the country as a whole. At a time when we are witnessing the impact of success on the world stage of our men’s football team, I have no doubt that under John`s leadership the Commonwealth Games will provide similar inspiration in the summer of 2022.”

Louise Martin CBE, Commonwealth Games Federation President said:

“We congratulate John on his appointment to this pivotal role which will guide an ambitious team and partnership fully committed to delivering a world-class, community-relevant Commonwealth Games in Birmingham in 2022”

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Biography of John Crabtree OBE

 John is the Lord Lieutenant for the County of the West Midlands. 

 He is currently Chairman of Glenn Howells Architects, Real Estate Investors Plc, Staffline Group plc, White & Black Limited, Brandauer Holdings Limited and Finch Consulting Ltd. He is also Director of Tara Developments and Worcester Warriors.

He is Chairman of the Birmingham Independent Improvement Panel which oversees Birmingham City Council’s implementation of the Kerslake Review recommendations.

John is a former President of Birmingham Chamber of Commerce & Industry, former Chairman of Sense (2007-2017) and the Birmingham Hippodrome Theatre Trust (2001-2017). He also served as a Director of Advantage West Midlands (former Regional Development Agency) for seven (7) years until its abolition in 2012. 

In 2003, he was voted West Midlands Businessman of the Year, the following year he was voted UK Lawyer of the Year and has received lifetime achievement awards from the Birmingham Law Society and in 2012, the Birmingham Post. 

John has also received honorary doctorates from Birmingham University and Birmingham City University. He was appointed as a Deputy Lieutenant in 2005 and was High Sheriff of West Midlands in 2006-07.

The role is remunerated at £20 000 p.a. This appointment has been made in accordance with the Cabinet Office’s Governance Code on Public Appointments. The process is regulated by the Commissioner for Public Appointments. The Government’s Governance Code requires that any significant political activity undertaken by an appointee in the last five years is declared. This is defined as including holding office, public speaking, making a recordable donation or candidature for election. John has declared no such political activity.