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13 October 2025  3 min read

Chris Grant: BE chair Paul Blanchard's message to departing BBF counterpart

Grant has opted to leave the post for personal reasons following three years at the helm. 

During that period, he led an overhaul in the governance of the BBF and helped build a collaborative approach with the Home Country Associations of Basketball England, Basketball Scotland and Basketball Wales. 

That led last year to an historic joint funding award to the BBF and Basketball England by UK Sport and Sport England aimed at boosting 3x3 and the talent pathway from grassroots to international level as part of an integrated plan developed by all parties. 

BE chair Blanchard said: “I thank Chris for the collaborative way in which he sought to work with the Home Country Associations with the aim of developing and improving the game at all levels. 

“It was by coming together in this way that we were able to make significant steps forward in accessing landmark funding from our partners at UK Sport and Sport England to grow the game. 

“We will, of course, endeavour to continue that philosophy with Chris’ successor and all stakeholders in the game in the UK with the aim of creating the best possible environment for basketball to flourish.” 

BBF board member Grace Jacca will step in as Interim Chair with fellow board member Sadie Mason supporting while the BBF recruit a new Chair. 

Grant said of his decision to step down: “It has been a privilege to serve as Chair of the British Basketball Federation and I am proud of the progress we have made over the last three years.  

“I’m doing this for personal reasons, but I’ve also seen that the sport in this country is full of talent both on and off the court from the street to the international arena, and a new generation is ready to step up. Basketball is already the second most-played team sport in Britain and a global headline-maker. Its reach into every community and its natural connections with music and fashion should put basketball right up there when it comes to entertaining fans and delivering economic and social value for the country.  

“This was not an easy decision, but now the foundations are in place it’s the right time for me to step aside and make room for new leadership to complete the transformation of British basketball into the vibrant, professionally-run mass-market powerhouse that it deserves to be.”