The accolade is in recognition of her major sporting contribution to the UK and Baroness Campbell, as she will now be known, will act in apolitical role.

 

Campbell, whose career started as a teacher at Whalley Range High School in Manchester in 1970,  has served sport with high distinction over several decades in a number of high profile and influential roles.

 

A former netball and athletics international player and coach, she lectured at Loughborough University, where her students included Sebastian Coe and Clive Woodward, and was a sport development officer before spending 11 years as head of the National Coaching Foundation.

 

Campbell moved to become chief executive of the Youth Sport Trust in 1995, becoming its chair ten years alter.

 

She became chair of UK Sport in 2003, initially in an interim position before being confirmed in post two years later.

 

Campbell was awarded an MBE in 1991 and a CBE in 2003.

 

John Steele, UK Sport's chief executive, said: “On behalf of everyone at UK Sport, I am delighted for Sue and congratulate her on her appointment to the Lords.

 

"After a lifetime of service, passionate commitment and huge achievement in sport, there is no one more deserving or better qualified than her to play such a new and important role.

 

"I am sure she will do a fantastic job and will be looking forward to many years as a cross-bencher representing what she believes in and furthering the role of sport in society.”

 

Steve Grainger, the chief executive of the Youth Sport Trust, said: “Sue’s passion for sport at all levels and her absolute determination to improving the lives of young people through sport has helped to create a step change in the standard and provision of PE and school sport across the country.

 

"I’m delighted by her appointment to the House of Lords which recognises her many years of hard work.

 

"On behalf of the entire team at the Youth Sport Trust, I wish her every success in her role a cross-bench Peer and am sure she will make a major contribution to the affairs of the House on both sport and education issues .”

 

Campbell's appointment was also welcomed by Peers from across the House of Lords.

 

Coe, now the chairman of London 2012 and a Tory peer, although he has resigned the whip, said: “Sue will be a wonderful addition to the House.

 

"I have seen Sue’s dedication to sport first hand in the thirty years I have known her, and I’m delighted that her outstanding achievements in the world of sport have been recognised in this way.

 

"She will be a great supporter and champion of the inspirational power of sport, and I know the whole House will benefit from her intimate understanding of sporting issues. ”

 

Neil Kinnock, the chair of the British Council, said: “I am delighted that Sue’s vision and relentless focus on sport’s potential to change individuals' lives in the UK and throughout the world continues to be recognised by her introduction to the House of Lords.

 

"Over the last few years we have worked together to improve community leadership and health outcomes for hundreds of thousands of young people and, in the run up to 2012, we will pursue the UK's international sporting legacy by reaching 12 million young people through our joint programme International Inspiration.

 

Liberal Democrat Lord Newby, said: “It has been my privilege to work with Sue Campbell on UK Sport’s international development work.

 

"She brings a combination of passion and practicality to everything she does which makes her hugely effective and respected.

 

"I have no doubt that she will make a major contribution to our debates in the Lords, not least as we consider how to maximize the many opportunities for sport and other areas of public policy which London 2012 will bring.”

 

Baroness D'Souza, the Convenor of the Independent Crossbench Peers, said: "We warmly welcome Baroness Campbell to the ranks of the Independent Crossbench Peers who will provide a new and valuable contribution to our work."