We've announced new leadership appointments with London Marathon Events (LME), at an exciting time of growth for both organisations.
The London Marathon Foundation is a national charity funding projects and partnerships that increase physical activity in London and across the UK, and Dawn Austwick has been appointed as Chair of our Board of Trustees.
Dawn, who has been a Trustee since 2017 and more recently Vice-Chair, has a CV spanning chief executive roles at high-profile funding organisations (the National Lottery Community Fund and the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation). This experience will support our work in what is set to be our biggest ever year of funding – with £14 million to fund projects that inspire activity across the UK.
Dawn Austwick, Chair of the London Marathon Foundation, said: “I’m delighted to be the next Chair of the London Marathon Foundation. Over the last nine years I’ve seen the impact and scale of our work grow across London and beyond, and I’m proud to support my fellow Trustees and the wider group through the exciting next stage of our development.
“Working with the Foundation’s team and Trustees, we’ll ensure our growing funding has the greatest impact possible – reaching new communities and supporting the health and wellbeing of people of all ages and abilities across the UK.”
Our increasing funding is thanks to the innovation of our events company, LME. The past three years have seen an expansion of LME’s events portfolio, including the takeover of the Brighton Marathon Weekend in 2022, and the formation of Athletic Ventures in 2024 – a joint venture with UK Athletics and the Great Run Company to deliver major sporting events such as the 2026 European Athletics Championships in Birmingham.
Damien Lane has been appointed as the Interim Chair of LME’s Board of Directors. He is an angel investor with extensive Board experience across a range of innovative and high-growth businesses, and having been on the Board for nine years, Damien shares LME’s commitment to increasing participation in sport and physical activity at all levels.
Damien Lane, Interim Chair of London Marathon Events, said: “Having taken part in many of LME’s events, I know the joy and sense of achievement they create. Opening that experience up to more people – especially those who’ve never taken part before – is a hugely exciting prospect.
“And our impact goes far beyond Event Day. Through our children and young people initiatives, we’re increasing opportunities for children to be active in and out of school hours, laying the foundations for an active and healthy future.”
We share a vision with LME to inspire activity. In 2025, the first London Marathon Group Impact Report was published, demonstrating the positive physical, social and environmental impact of both organisations.
Nick Bitel, CEO of London Marathon Group, said: “Dawn and Damien have already made hugely valuable contributions as members of our Boards. I’m looking forward to working with them in their new roles, and using LME’s events, the Foundation’s funding and our collective partnerships to deepen our impact – inspiring activity for more communities across the UK."