The Tennis Integrity Supervisory Board has announced the appointment of Jonathan (Jonny) Gray as the first Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Tennis Integrity Unit (TIU), following a global search.

Mr Gray will take up his new role in mid-February 2020 and will be responsible for leading the continued growth and development of the TIU as it evolves into a broader-based integrity organisation for professional tennis.

The new CEO will bring outstanding skills, experience and leadership attributes to the organisation, gained from more than 14 years’ experience as a Senior Partner in Control Risks, a specialist global risk consultancy, and previously a distinguished and decorated 20-year career in the British Army.

Jennie Price, the independent Chair of the Tennis Integrity Supervisory Board, who led the appointments committee responsible for the recruitment process, said: “Jonny was the outstanding candidate in a very strong and varied field. He shares our determination to create the best, most innovative integrity organisation in sport, and his skills and experience will be vital in helping tennis to realise that ambition. I am delighted he will be joining us, and look forward to working with him.”

Looking ahead to his new role, Jonny Gray commented: “This is a unique opportunity to work with a global sport in tackling issues around corruption and doping. I share the absolute commitment of tennis to achieving the highest standards of integrity and believe passionately in fair and clean sport. It is clear to me that much good work has already been done in this area, and I am looking forward to building on those strong foundations.”

As a professional soldier, Jonny reached the rank of Colonel, commanding operations in Belfast and Iraq, where he won a gallantry award. He also saw service in the Balkans, Falklands, Canada and Europe. After leaving the Ministry of Defence in 2005, he joined Control Risks where he has worked in a number of senior leadership roles in the UK and USA.

He is currently the Senior Partner heading up its global sports practice, assisting numerous international sports organisations and federations to manage integrity, political and operational risks. Jonny is a well-known and highly regarded figure in the field of global sports integrity, speaking at events like the recent ABC Minds Sport conference in Lausanne.

As CEO he will report to the independent Tennis Integrity Supervisory Board and will work closely with TIU Director Nigel Willerton and a 20-strong team of investigators, intelligence and education specialists, which is already one of the largest dedicated anti-corruption bodies in professional sport.

He will also be responsible for integrating the existing tennis anti-doping function into a new legal entity with overall responsibility for integrity in tennis.

The appointment of a CEO for the TIU was a recommendation of the Independent Review Panel’s Final Report.