Grant King, Interim Chief Executive of Ice Hockey UK (IHUK) and England Ice Hockey (EIH), has announced he will be stepping down from his positions.
King has made a significant contribution to the sport during his time with IHUK and EIH, leading and supporting a broad range of work across governance, operations, strategic reform, performance, events and organisational development.
During a period of considerable change, he has played a central role in significantly strengthening our organisations and the sport in all those areas, and helping to ensure both bodies are now compliant with the Code for Sports Governance.
Over the course of his time with IHUK and EIH, King served in several capacities, spanning Board and committee leadership, executive management and operational delivery.
He leaves having helped shape a period of meaningful reform and development across the sport, and with the thanks of both organisations for his dedication, professionalism and service.
At the same time, two of IHUK’s Independent Non-Executive Directors have agreed to join the executive teams at IHUK and EIH.
Tim Bratton has been appointed as Interim Chief Executive Officer of IHUK and EIH. Bratton joined the IHUK Board in September 2025 as an Independent Non-Executive Director and joins the executive team from The Football Association, where he served as General Counsel and Chief Regulatory Officer.
Steven Birrell joins us as Chief Operating Officer. Birrell joined the IHUK board in June 2025 as an Independent NED (Marketing and Communications) and is an accomplished corporate affairs professional who has held senior roles with McDonald’s and DC Thomson.
Clifton Wrottesley (Chair of IHUK) and Duncan Hough (Chair of EIH) have today written to their members and stakeholders with further details on this announcement, which you can find here.
Bratton has also written an open letter to all stakeholders from across IHUK, EIH and Scottish Ice Hockey, to provide an update on the work that is ongoing to achieve the merger of the three governing bodies. You can read his letter here.
These changes to our management teams will become effective during April 2026, with King working closely with Bratton and Birrell to ensure a smooth leadership transition.
