Dr. Rimla Akhtar MBE is that rare individual who has lived global business and elite sport. In 2014, she became the first Muslim and Asian woman on the FA Council. In addition to her role on the Inclusion Advisory Board at the FA, in 2015 she was awarded an MBE for her contribution to equality and diversity in sport. Her strategic and boardroom roles extend to her appointments as an Independent Director of the Sports Ground Safety Authority, Independent Director and Trustee of Kick It Out, and Council member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland.
She is a developer, communicator, and strategist best known for her work as an Inclusion and Diversity specialist in sport, which led to her being ranked 15th in the 2015 list of The Independent’s Most Influential Women in Sport. Rimla has over 17 years of experience in the sports industry across the United Kingdom, Middle East and Asia. As well as a number of accolades to her name she was most recently awarded two honorary doctorates in 2017 as well as the Sky Sports and Sunday Times Sportswomen of the Year Community Award in 2013.
Whilst carving out a successful career in the city at leading global professional services firm Pricewaterhouse Coopers, Rimla also captained Britain in Futsal competitions. She is Founder of the leading global sport development consultancy, RimJhim Consulting, and, as Chair of the Muslim Women’s Sport Foundation, she has led the organisation to one with a distinct reputation nationally and internationally for its extensive work in the field of women’s sport.