Karen Forbes leaves UKA after 25 years to help with preparations for the Commonwealth Games

For the last quarter of a century Karen Forbes has been one of the key people at UK Athletics involved in the staging of televised events and major championships, but she is now leaving the governing body to work in a new role with the organisers of the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.

Industry insiders on the athletics circuit in the UK will be particularly familiar with her friendly personality – and her reputation spanned across the globe.

Cherry Alexander, her former colleague at UKA, said: "Karen's work transcends from the dizzy heights of delivering a World Championships and World Para Championships in 2017 and 20 years of televised events to supporting the grassroots of the sport over many years including the UK School Games, British Cross Challenge Series and mountain running champs.

"Her enthusiasm for this sport is legendary and she will be a huge loss to British Athletics but I am sure you will join us in wishing Karen even more success as she starts her new role at Birmingham 2022. Good luck from all your friends in athletics."

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