Ahead of the Commonwealth Games taking place in Birmingham in 2022, Team England have named Mark England OBE to lead the team as Chef de Mission.

Mark has a wealth of experience having been Chef de Mission of Team GB since 2014, leading the team in Rio and heading into next year’s Olympic Games in Tokyo. He also served as Deputy Chef de Mission at six Olympic Games, including London 2012.

Taking place 10 years after the UK hosted the Olympic Games and 20 years on from when England last hosted the Commonwealth Games in Manchester, Mark will be responsible for helping Team England athletes to be at their best in front of the home crowds in 2022.

Awarded an OBE in 2016 for his services to Olympic sport, Mark oversaw Team GB finish second in the Rio medal table, making history along the way by becoming the first ever team to win more medals at the Games immediately after playing host.

Team England have won five triathlon Commonwealth medals, including gold for Jade Jones-Hall and Joe Townsend in the first paratriathlon races to take place at a Commonwealth Games in 2018. The team also won gold and silver in the mixed relay in 2014 and 2018 respectively.

Commenting on his appointment, he said: “It is always special to lead a nation into competition, but to be able to do so at a home Games is an absolute privilege. My thanks to both the British Olympic Association and Commonwealth Games England for the opportunity.

“The athletes and team will get a wonderful reception in Birmingham and across the Midlands, and I hope we can make England proud through their performances in 2022.”