Connor, who led England to Ashes victory over Australia, is now the head of women's cricket at the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), overseeing a golden period for the sport in this country.

Under Connor, the team have won the World Cup and Twenty20 World Championship as well as retaining the Ashes.

Bitel, a partner at law firm Max Bitel Greene LLP, has helped the London Marathon become the most prestigious road race in the world, which led to them being appointed to organise the men's and women's marathons at the London 2012 Olympics.

Bitel has combined this role with his work as a lawyer, representing several high-profile clients, including the All England Tennis Club, the Ryder Cup and Tottenham Hotspur manager Harry Redknapp.

He is also a member of the Olympic Park Legacy Company (OPLC).

Connor and Bitel are joined by Hanif Malik, chairman of the Hamara Healthy Living Centre, the largest ethnic minority organisation in the voluntary and community sector in Leeds; Peter Stybelski, the former chief executive of Cumbria County Council; Peter Rowley, the former chief executive of the Darlington Building Society; and Sadie Mason, the chief executive of Active Sussex.

Lewis writes in an exclusive blog for insidethegames: "One of my top priorities as chair of Sport England has been fulfilled this week, as the Government confirmed the appointment of six new people onto our board.

"Renewing and strengthening our non-exec team has been a major focus for me in recent months.

"I firmly believe that our board needs breadth and depth, as well as individual excellence, to help Sport England deliver its goal to get more people playing and enjoying sport - and helping those with talent fulfil their sporting potential."

To read more on the appointments click here.

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