Atkins previously held the post of director of programmes at the Trust, which has helped to support over 170,000 people across the United Kingdom, since it was founded in 2008, and Dame Kelly Holmes believes Atkins’ appointment as chief executive will ensure the charity continues to help both groups.

“The trustees and I, are confident that we have the best person for the role,” Dame Holmes, double gold medallist at the Athens 2004 Olympics, said.

“Emma has been such an instrumental part of the Trust, and I know she will take my charity forward so that is goes from strength to strength, benefitting more young people and more athletes in the coming years.”

In her previous post Atkins played a key role in the charity securing investment from Sport England in 2011, to scale up the Trust’s flagship programme "Get On Track".

Under Atkins’ leadership the programme has supported more than 420 athletes to make the transition from competitive sport, by enabling them to use their skills to provide mentoring for disadvantaged 16 to 25-year-olds, which will help them move into employment, education and training.

“I strongly believe that athletes are fantastic vehicles for change in young people as they instil in them the drive, ambition, focus and self-belief they learnt in their sporting careers, and are able to relate to young people in a unique way,” Atkins said following her appointment.

“Going forwards, together with my fantastic team, we want to see both athletes and young people, right across the country, living healthy and fulfilled lives.”

In addition to her work with the Trust’s programmes Atkins led on the charity’s impact measurement strategy and social return on investment model, which highlights that for every £1 ($1.48/€1.38) invested in the ‘Get On Track’ programme, society gets £2.50 ($3.70/€3.44) back.

Atkins has a background in sports coaching and administration spanning over 20 years and in her previous role at Sports Coach UK was National Project Lead for the development of 45 Coach Development Officers with the Department of Culture, Media and Sport.