British Rowing Appoints Interim CEO

February 11, 2014

British Rowing is pleased to announce the appointment of an interim Chief Executive Officer, following Kate Burt’s decision to leave British Rowing last month. Neil Chugani has stepped into the role on a part-time basis, with immediate effect.

Neil has been actively involved in rowing for over 25 years, both as an athlete and a senior volunteer. He was a member of the Organising Committee for the Samsung World Rowing Cup held at Eton Dorney in 2013, and is a serving British Rowing Umpire and Steward of Henley Royal Regatta.

In the past Chugani has represented Great Britain as both an Under-23 and senior international, winning a World Championship gold medal in the coxed pair with Matthew Pinsent and James Cracknell in 2001. He has also represented Oxford University Boat Club, Leander Club and Molesey Boat Club, where he is still an active member

Neil brings considerable business experience to the CEO role, having spent over 20 years in the media and technology industries in senior executive and advisory leadership roles. He currently works with private equity investors and their portfolio companies, most recently having advised CVC Capital Partners on its bid for IMG Worldwide – a leading global business in sports and media.

Prior to this, Neil held senior executive roles including Chief Financial Officer and Executive Director at BBC Worldwide, the commercial arm of the BBC, Deputy Chief Financial Officer at BSkyB Group plc, and was also a banker at Goldman Sachs. He was selected as a member of the Forum of Young Global Leaders at the World Economic Forum in 2009.

Annamarie Phelps, Chairman of British Rowing, said: “Neil Chugani brings an invaluable combination of commercial and sporting experience to British Rowing, as well as an intense passion for our sport. I am delighted that he is able to join us at this important time for rowing.”

From British Rowing HQ, Neil said today: “I am looking forward to an exciting and challenging start to 2014. I have a great love for the sport of rowing, so I am energised by the opportunity to lead forward the ‘2020 Vision’ that is being developed for the future of the sport.”