Patel comes onto the Board as a principal and national leader of education at Swiss Cottage School, Development and Research Centre – a special needs school in Camden in London.

She is also a trustee of the Varkey Foundation, Artists in Residence Charity and the Swiss Cottage School Charity.

Byland is a multi-award-winning Special Olympian and athlete leader who has represented Britain on the global stage as a cyclist.

She won three gold medals at the Los Angeles 2015 Special Olympics and another three titles at the Abu Dhabi edition last year.

Byland has been part of the Special Olympics GB set-up since she was 16-years-old.

"We are absolutely delighted to welcome Vijita and Kiera to our Special Olympics GB Board," said Paul Richardson, chair of Special Olympics GB.

"Their appointment is a further step in building and strengthening the team at Special Olympics GB as we continue to transform and grow our movement across Britain.

"Vijita brings with her a wealth of experience and knowledge from the education sector, as well as working with adults and children with learning disabilities which will be instrumental in our vision of reaching more people and transforming more lives of people with intellectual disabilities through sport.

"Kiera is an extraordinary person and a shining example of the life-changing impact Special Olympics GB can have on someone with intellectual disabilities. 

"Kiera is a true advocate of Special Olympics GB and for inclusion as a whole and I know she will do an outstanding job of ensuring the voices of our athletes are at the heart of every decision we make as a Board." 

There are now seven women and five men on the Special Olympics GB Board, with experience and knowledge coming from a range of backgrounds.

This includes finance, media, human resources and intellectual disability, with different ethnic backgrounds being represented.