Tennis Wales Appoints Sarah Williams-Gardener OBE as Independent Chair

As the national governing body for tennis and padel, Tennis Wales continues to see strong participation across the country, with more than 210,000 adults playing tennis each year and 196,000 children enjoying the game in communities, parks, clubs and schools. Padel participation now exceeds 10,000 players, and the number of padel courts continues to double annually.

Sarah is a highly experienced board director, business leader and advocate for innovation-led economic growth. She currently serves as Chair of FinTech Wales and was previously its Chief Executive, helping establish Wales as one of the UK’s leading fintech ecosystems. She is also a Non-Executive Director of the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA), bringing significant experience of governance, public service and strategic oversight within a major UK public body. Prior to this, Sarah was a founding member of Starling Bank and spent 17 years with IBM, including serving as UK Government Affairs Director, where she worked extensively across business, technology and public policy.

Her career has spanned leadership roles across the private, public and third sectors, with a strong track record of working with governments, regulators, businesses and community organisations to deliver innovation, growth and positive social impact. She was awarded an OBE earlier this year in recognition of her services to fintech, financial services and economic growth.

The recruitment process for the Independent Chair role attracted a strong field of candidates from across the UK, reflecting the growing profile, ambition and impact of Tennis Wales as a national governing body. Sarah’s appointment comes as the organisation begins shaping a new strategy for 2027 and beyond, focused on increasing participation, strengthening communities and growing both tennis and padel across Wales.

As Independent Chair, Sarah will work closely with the Board and executive leadership team to support Tennis Wales’ vision of tennis & padel opened up, and using the game to transform Welsh communities.

Sarah Williams-Gardener OBE, Independent Chair of Tennis Wales, said:

"I am delighted and privileged to take on the role of Independent Chair of Tennis Wales at such an exciting time for the sport. I came to tennis later in life, which has given me a real appreciation of just how accessible, enjoyable and rewarding the game can be, whatever your age or ability. That's something I'm passionate about, sport should be for everyone, and it's never too late to pick up a racket.

"Tennis and padel offer so much more than physical activity. They bring people together, build friendships, support wellbeing and create a real sense of community. Across Wales, we have an incredible network of players, coaches, clubs and volunteers whose energy and commitment make all of this possible.

"For me, this role is about building on those foundations, opening doors to more people and ensuring that anyone who wants to take part feels welcome and has the opportunity to do so. I'm particularly looking forward to meeting people across the tennis and padel community in Wales, listening to their experiences and learning what more we can do together to help the sports thrive.

"I'm looking forward to working with the Board, the talented Tennis Wales team and partners across the country to build on what's already been achieved, embrace new opportunities and ensure tennis and padel continue to grow and thrive across Wales for generations to come."

Simon Johnson, Chief Executive of Tennis Wales, said:

"Sarah brings an exceptional combination of governance expertise, strategic leadership and a genuine passion for helping organisations create meaningful impact. Her experience spans entrepreneurship, technology, financial services and the public sector, and she has an outstanding reputation for bringing people together behind a shared vision. We are delighted to welcome her as Independent Chair at such an exciting time for Tennis Wales as we prepare for our next strategic cycle and continue growing tennis and padel in communities across the country."

Looking ahead, Tennis Wales will continue to build on strong participation growth and strengthen opportunities for people of all ages and backgrounds to enjoy tennis and padel. Under Sarah’s leadership as Chair, the organisation will work with its partners, venues, coaches, volunteers and communities across Wales to shape and deliver its strategy from 2027 onwards.

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Mae Tennis Cymru wedi cyhoeddi penodiad Sarah Williams-Gardener OBE fel ei Gadeirydd Annibynnol newydd, yn dilyn proses recriwtio allanol hynod o gystadleuol a arweiniwyd gan McBride Sport.  Mae Sarah yn ymuno â Bwrdd Tennis Cymru ar adeg arwyddocaol i’r sefydliad wrth iddo baratoi i ddechrau ar ei gylchdro strategol nesaf o 2027.

Fel corff llywodraethu cenedlaethol tennis a padel, mae Tennis Cymru’n parhau i weld lefelau cadarn o gyfranogiad ledled y wlad, gyda mwy na 210,000 o oedolion yn chwarae tennis bob blwyddyn a 196,000 o blant yn mwynhau’r gêm o fewn cymunedau, parciau, clybiau ac ysgolion.  Bellach, mae mwy na 10,000 o bobl yn chwarae padel, ac mae nifer y cyrtiau padel yn parhau i ddyblu’n flynyddol.

Mae gan Sarah brofiad helaeth fel cyfarwyddwr bwrdd, arweinydd busnes a hyrwyddwr twf economaidd seiliedig ar arloesedd.  Ar hyn o bryd mae hi’n Gadeirydd FinTech Cymru, yn dilyn cyfnod fel ei Brif Weithredwr, yn helpu i sefydlu Cymru fel un o ecosystemau technoleg ariannol bennaf y DU.  Mae hi hefyd yn Gyfarwyddwr Anweithredol y DVLA (Asiantaeth Trwyddedu Gyrwyr a Cherbydau), gan olygu bod ganddi brofiad helaeth o lywodraethu, gwasanaethu’r cyhoedd a goruchwyliaeth strategol gydag un o gyrff cyhoeddus mawr y DU.  Cyn hynny, roedd Sarah yn un o sefydlwyr Starling Bank a threuliodd 17 mlynedd gydag IBM, gan gynnwys gwasanaethu fel Cyfarwyddwr Materion Llywodraeth y DU, lle bu’n gweithio’n helaeth ym myd busnes, technoleg a pholisïau cyhoeddus.

Mae ei gyrfa wedi cwmpasu rolau arweinyddiaeth ar draws y sector preifat, y sector  cyhoeddus a’r trydydd sector, ac mae ganddi hanes blaenorol o weithio’n llwyddiannus â llywodraethau, rheoleiddwyr, busnesau a sefydliadau cymunedol i sicrhau arloesedd, twf, ac effaith gymdeithasol bositif.  Derbyniodd yr OBE yn gynharach eleni i gydnabod ei gwasanaeth i dechnoleg ariannol, gwasanaethau ariannol a thwf economaidd.

Denodd y broses recriwtio ar gyfer rôl y Cadeirydd Annibynnol nifer fawr o ymgeiswyr cryf o bob cwr o’r DU, gan adlewyrchu proffil cynyddol, uchelgais ac effaith Tennis Cymru fel corff llywodraethu cenedlaethol.  Daw penodiad Sarah ar adeg pan mae’r sefydliad yn dechrau llunio strategaeth newydd ar gyfer 2027 a thu hwnt, gyda’r ffocws ar gynyddu cyfranogiad, cryfhau cymunedau a thyfu tennis a padel ar draws Cymru. 

Fel Cadeirydd Annibynnol, bydd Sarah yn gweithio’n agos â’r Bwrdd a’r tîm arwain gweithredol i gefnogi gweledigaeth Tennis Cymru o wneud tennis a padel yn fwy agored i bawb, a defnyddio’r gêm i drawsnewid cymunedau Cymru..

Dywedodd Sarah Williams-Gardener OBE, Cadeirydd Annibynnol Tennis Cymru:

"Rwyf wrth fy modd ac yn teimlo’n freintiedig yn ymgymryd â rôl Cadeirydd Annibynnol Tennis Cymru ar adeg mor gyffrous i’r gêm.  Mi ddechreuais i chwarae tennis yn nes ymlaen mewn bywyd, ac mae hynny wedi gwneud imi wirioneddol werthfawrogi pa mor hygyrch, pleserus a boddhaol y gall y gêm fod, waeth beth yw eich oedran neu’ch gallu.  Mae hynny’n rhywbeth dwi’n teimlo’n angerddol drosto, dylai chwaraeon fod ar gyfer pawb, a dydy hi byth yn rhy hwyr i godi raced.

"Mae tennis a padel yn cynnig cymaint mwy na gweithgarwch corfforol yn unig.  Maen nhw’n dod â phobl at ei gilydd, yn adeiladu cyfeillgarwch, yn gwella lles, ac yn creu ymdeimlad go iawn o gymuned.  Ledled Cymru, mae gennym rwydwaith anhygoel o chwaraewyr, hyfforddwyr, clybiau a gwirfoddolwyr, a’u hegni a’u brwdfrydedd nhw sy’n gwneud y cyfan yn bosibl.

"I mi, mae’r rôl hon yn ymwneud ag adeiladu ar y sylfeini hynny, agor drysau i fwy o bobl, a sicrhau bod pawb sydd am gymryd rhan yn cael croeso a’r cyfle i wneud hynny.  Dwi’n edrych ymlaen yn arbennig at gwrdd â phobl ar draws y gymuned tennis a padel yng Nghymru, gwrando ar eu profiadau a dysgu beth mwy allwn ni ei wneud gyda’n gilydd i helpu’r gemau hyn ffynnu.

"Dwi’n edrych ymlaen at weithio gyda’r Bwrdd, tîm talentog Tennis Cymru a phartneriaid ledled y wlad i adeiladu ar yr hyn sydd wedi’i gyflawni’n barod, i wireddu cyfleoedd newydd ac i sicrhau bod tennis a padel yn parhau i dyfu a ffynnu ledled Cymru am genedlaethau lawer.”

Dywedodd Simon Johnson, Prif Weithredwr Tennis Cymru:

"Mae Sarah yn dod â chyfuniad eithriadol o arbenigedd ym maes llywodraethu, arweinyddiaeth strategol ac angerdd go iawn dros helpu sefydliadau i gael effaith ystyrlon.  Mae ei phrofiad yn cynnwys entrepreneuriaeth, technoleg, gwasanaethau ariannol a’r sector cyhoeddus, ac mae ganddi enw da eithriadol am ddod â phobl at ei gilydd tu ôl i weledigaeth a rennir.  Rydym wrth ein boddau yn ei chroesawu hi fel Cadeirydd Annibynnol ar adeg mor gyffrous i Tennis Cymru, wrth inni baratoi ar gyfer ein cam strategol nesaf a pharhau i dyfu tennis a padel o fewn cymunedaul ledled y wlad.”

Gan edrych i’r dyfodol, bydd Tennis Cymru yn parhau i adeiladu ar y twf cadarn o ran cyfranogiad, ac yn cryfhau cyfleoedd i bobl o bob oed a chefndir i fwynhau tennis a padel.  Dan arweinyddiaeth Sarah fel Cadeirydd, bydd y sefydliad yn gweithio â’i bartneriaid, lleoliadau, hyfforddwyr, gwirfoddolwyr a chymunedau ar draws Cymru i lunio a chyflawni ei strategaeth o 2027 ymlaen.