Former UK Sport Deputy Director of Engagement and External Affairs Jess Whitehorn is joining Run Communications as Associate Director following 17 years with the high performance sports body, where she will drive the positive impact and growth of Olympic and Paralympic sport. 

Jess is welcomed to Run having already worked closely with the team over multiple Olympic and Paralympic cycles, including UK Sport and The National Lottery’s ‘Inspiring Communities’ campaign - bringing the magic of the Tokyo and Paris Games back to the UK and connecting elite sport with community activity.

Most recently Jess worked with Run as part of the ChangeMakers campaign, a partnership between The National Lottery’s operator Allwyn, UK Sport, Team GB and ParalympicsGB to support athletes to support social impact projects they are passionate about. In collaboration with UK Sport, Run delivered media events all across the UK following the Paris Games and engaged over 100 athletes. 

She will now support Run as we look to develop further impact in the Olympic and Paralympic space, deliver positive social outcomes through major event legacy and drive influential projects at grassroots and community level.

The agency works for a range of clients including The National Lottery, parkrun, Play Their Way, MCC/Lords, UK Coaching, Boodles, Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025/World Rugby, Swim England and British Triathlon. Last year Run launched Run X, it’s dedicated women’s sports practice with Kelly Simmons OBE.

Jess Whitehorn reflected on her new role:

“I’m thrilled to join the brilliant team at Run Communications and continue the fantastic relationship we developed during my time at UK Sport. I’ve been fortunate enough to combine my passions for purposeful communications and the power of sport since working on my first Games in 2008, and I am really excited to continue to drive both the Olympic and Paralympic movement and expanding sport’s capacity to deliver positive social outcomes with the team at Run and our clients. Run are longstanding and powerful advocates for the power of sport and physical activity to create a happier, healthier nation, and I look forward to working with our clients and exploring new opportunities to collectively achieve this mission.” 

Steve Chisholm, Founder, Run Communications, added:

“Jess has been a huge contributor to the collective success of our work with UK Sport and The National Lottery, and we are delighted to now formally welcome her into the team at Run at such an exciting time. She brings incredible experience from over nine Olympic and Paralympic Games including many working together with Run. Her expertise and dedication will be invaluable for us going forward, and we look forward to sharing exciting updates on our next projects over 2025 and beyond. I am excited to see how we can build the business with her.”