He will have been at the helm of Loughborough Sport for nine years in which the University has seen huge success across all areas of sport. In this time sport participation, diversity and performance have all improved and capital projects such as the Elite Athlete Centre have enhanced Loughborough’s standing in the global sporting landscape. 

Loughborough has also increased its commercial income and broadened its range of partnerships and sponsors. The campus has staged major events such as the School Games, and hosted preparation camps for partners including the British Paralympic Association and Team England before the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games last summer.

Vice-Chancellor Nick Jennings said: “John’s contribution to Loughborough Sport has been significant. Through his leadership, our sporting activity has been transformed and I’m particularly delighted with the development of our activity in women’s sport and para-sport.”

During his time at Loughborough Steele has also made a major contribution to the broader sporting landscape with leadership roles as Chairman of the English Institute of Sport and currently Chairman of Commonwealth Games England. He was awarded an OBE in recognition of his service to sport in the Queens birthday honours in 2021.

Steele said: “It has been a privilege to be part of an amazing era of sport at Loughborough. The collective passion and commitment of some wonderful people at the University, has driven forward sport and created a very special environment.”

He will remain involved at the University in a part-time advisory and project role including working on the new University strategy and will support the recruitment of a new Pro Vice Chancellor for Sport later in the year.