GIS President Sharona Friedman Appointed Chair of Independent Higher Education

Global Institute of Sport is proud to share that our President and CEO Sharona Friedman has been announced as the new Chair of Independent Higher Education (IHE).

A membership body for higher education providers, IHE represents over 90 organisations who set out to develop the workforce of multiple industries.

Sport is one of them, and Sharona’s experience with GIS has positioned her as a leading voice of the global sports industry when it comes to education.

Sharona labelled it a “privilege” to support the IHE community, which she has helped shape over the past six years as a board member.

“I firmly believe in the power of our collective voice,” she told IHE, “and in the importance of IHE’s role in advocating for members, shaping policy and supporting providers to succeed.

“IHE Members reflect the diversity, flexibility, innovation and student focus that are so important to UK higher education, expanding student choice and helping ensure the interests of students and learners remain central to the sector.”

With her new responsibilities at the forefront of IHE’s work, Sharona will now engage with governmental, regulatory and sector leaders on behalf of the organisation.

As part of the announcement, IHE Chief Executive Alex Proudfoot echoed Sharona’s commitment to developing students to the highest possible standards, stating: “I know how passionate she is about education and have seen first hand her dedication to the causes she believes in. We are fortunate to be one of them.”

“We are a nation animated by creative instincts, entrepreneurial spirit and a belief in the power of a great idea. IHE members bring this same energy and optimism to higher education, and with the right policy support can pioneer new models of learning that respond to the world today. 

“In Sharona,” he continued, “they will have a captain on the pitch who leads by example, as she builds the Global Institute of Sport from a small transnational start-up into a powerful force for positive change – placing British educational excellence and IHE values at the heart of a thriving global industry.”

Reflecting her passion and dedication, Sharona’s appointment as IHE Chair positions her to continue shaping the future of higher education, while simultaneously driving GIS as a world-leading developer of the next generation of the sports industry.