As Team Scotland aims to build on record success at Glasgow 2014 and Gold Coast 2018, preparations for the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games continue in earnest, with five General Team Management posts now confirmed.

A highly accomplished group of individuals has been appointed to lead the key areas of operational activity, three of the five having been involved in Gold Coast 2018 and all with extensive multi-sport Games experience.

Elinor Middlemiss – Chef de Mission

Jen Barsby – General Team Manger: Accommodation & Village Facilities

David Somerville – General Team Manger: Performance Services

Joanne Deponio – General Team Manager: Transport and Logistics

Chris Purdie – General Team Manager: Team Services

Former Scotland Badminton international, and Commonwealth Games Scotland’s Head of Games Operations, Elinor Middlemiss, has been appointed as Team Scotland’s Chef de Mission. The first woman in this post since the Games began in 1930, she is also the first former Commonwealth Games athlete to lead the Scottish team since Sir Peter Heatly in 1978.

Scotland’s highest capped female Badminton player of all-time, Elinor represented Team Scotland at five Commonwealth Games winning a Women’s Doubles bronze medal with Sandra Watt in 1998 and Team bronze in 2002.

Her appointment follows two spells as Deputy Chef de Mission at the most recent Commonwealth Games at Glasgow 2014 and Gold Coast 2018.

David Somerville, High Performance Manager at sportscotland and Judo medallist for Team Scotland at the Manchester 2002 Commonwealth Games, takes on responsibility for Performance Services, continuing the role he performed at Gold Coast 2018. Also bringing continuity to Team Scotland’s preparations is Jen Barsby, who returns for a second Games as General Team Manager for Accommodation and Village Facilities.

The team also welcomes Joanne Deponio and Chris Purdie for their first Games with Team Scotland. Joanne will lead on Transport & Logistics and brings a wealth of experience of major multi-sport Games, including the 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games and as Head of Operations for the Glasgow 2018 European Championships. Chris, taking on the Team Services role, brings his experience of three World University Games, most recently as Deputy Chef de Mission for the British team in 2019.

Welcoming the appointments, Jon Doig, CGS Chief Executive said: “I am delighted that we have brought together such an exciting blend of returning staff and those stepping into new roles for 2022. This will bring the expertise, experience, and enthusiasm necessary to help us build on our success from the past two Games.

“Just as we have a rigorous selection process for our athletes, ensuring we have the right staff in the right positions plays a key part in providing leadership and creating our Team Scotland ethos. A Games so close to home is a huge opportunity for Team Scotland and these staff appointments, and those that will follow, will focus on creating the right environment to give our athletes the best possible opportunity to excel in Birmingham.”

The next phase of recruitment is underway, looking at appointments for Team Managers for each of the 19 sports, and will be followed by leads for medical and media teams.