Special Olympics GB’s Interim CEO, Laura Baxter has been recognised as part of this year’s New Year Honours list and is awarded an MBE for her services to Special Olympics.
Laura who is based in Perth, Scotland has been involved with the Special Olympics movement since 2007 in Great Britain and New Zealand as both a volunteer and staff member. In 2019, Laura was Head of Delegation for the Special Olympics GB Team at the Special Olympics World Summer Games in Abu Dhabi and was Head of Sport and Competition for the Special Olympics GB Anniversary Games in Stirling in 2018. In 2011, Laura was the Head Coach for the GB Footabll team who won Gold at the World Summer Games in Athens. Laura has also had a variety of roles at a local level in Scotland after starting her Special Olympics journey as a football coach. Laura joined the Special Olympics GB National Office Team in 2019 and most recently has led the development of our new 2021 – 2024 Strategic Plan providing us with our roadmap of future growth before taking over the role of Interim CEO of Special Olympics GB in July of this year.
With a BSc in Sports Coaching and Development, Laura has been a full time professional in the Sports Development industry for 20 years. Working across a wide range of sporting bodies in the UK, USA and New Zealand, Laura has a wealth of hands-on experience in strategic, operational and senior management positions.
On receiving the award Laura Baxter, Interim CEO of Special Olympics GB said: “It is such an incredible honour to be recognised in this way. I still can’t quite believe it. I am just one person in a team of many who work hard for people with intellectual disabilities both here in Great Britain and around the world. I have loved every moment of volunteering and working for Special Olympics GB in all my various roles and I’m looking forward to many more years. The thing that makes this organisation so special and keeps me coming back for more are our amazing athletes. To see the impact Special Olympics GB has on people with intellectual disabilities is truly wonderful. Special Olympics GB genuinely transforms lives and for my contribution to be recognised in this way is extremely heart-warming. This recognition is for our athletes who face adversity every day and continue to smile, and for our volunteers who are dedicated to fostering an environment of inclusion, positivity and creativity so that everyone can experience the power of sport.”
Paul Richardson, Chair of Special Olympics GB said: “On behalf of everyone at Special Olympics GB, I’d like to say huge congratulations to Laura. For Laura to be recognised in this way is wonderful news and very well deserved. Laura has dedicated almost 15 years of her life to Special Olympics and has made, and continues to make, a huge contribution to not only the organisation but to transforming the lives of our athletes. The last 12 months have been incredibly challenging time for everyone, but no matter what the circumstances, Laura has stepped up time and time again with her trademark calm, clear strategic thinking, kindness and in-depth knowledge of the organisation. We are all incredibly proud of Laura and couldn’t be happier for her.”
