Tribute to former LTA Chief Executive Ian Peacock OBE
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The LTA is saddened to learn of the passing of former Chief Executive Ian Peacock OBE, a distinguished sports administrator, business leader and passionate advocate for British tennis.
Ian’s career in sport began at Slazenger, where he worked for 29 years, working his way up from salesman to Managing Director for the final eight years of his tenure.
He then brought his passion for sport and commercial acumen to the role of Chief Executive at the LTA in 1986, a position he held for 10 years. During that time, Ian oversaw a period of significant growth and change for the organisation and is credited with playing a central role in the widespread development of tennis facilities.
The Indoor Tennis Initiative that he created leveraged funding from multiple private and public sources to build indoor tennis centres and establish community tennis programmes throughout Britain. During his time as CEO, an independent charitable foundation was established which was the forerunner to the current LTA Tennis Foundation.
Following his time at the LTA, he devoted himself to a wide range of voluntary and leadership roles across sport, including serving as Chairman of the Golf Foundation, Chairman of the Torch Trophy Trust and President of the Tennis Industry Association. He was President, Chairman or Chief Executive of 14 different businesses or organisations involved in sport.
Ian was awarded an OBE for Services to Tennis in 1998 and his dedication to the sporting community was also recognised in 2008 when he was received the Arthur Bell Trophy from His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh, an annual award to an individual who has made an outstanding contribution to the development of sport in the United Kingdom.
He was 92 and had two children, Colin and Susan. The LTA extends its condolences to his family, friends and former colleagues.
