British Rowing Announces Three Board Members

Liz Behnke, Laura Lion and Simon Reeves have been appointed to the British Rowing Board

British Rowing announces the appointment of three Board members, who take up their positions with immediate effect following the AGM on 6 October 2018.

Liz Behnke is appointed Independent Director, while Laura Lion returns for a second term on the British Rowing Board. Simon Reeves takes the position vacated by Andrew Johnson, who has stepped down after serving the maximum terms in office.

Laura Lion has been a Nominated Director on the British Rowing Board since 2015, chairing the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Panel. Prior to joining the Board, Laura was a Representative on the British Rowing Council as well as the Thames Upriver Junior Representative on the Thames Regional Rowing Council.

Simon Reeves is the Chair of Trafford Rowing Club in South Manchester and Deputy Chair of the North West Regional Rowing Council. At Trafford RC, he has worked to support the growth of junior rowing as well as overseeing the introduction of an indoor rowing programme for local schools and colleges to encourage participation in sporting activity.

Liz Behnke brings over thirty years’ experience of working in the leisure industry, with considerable experience in a wide variety of areas including increasing diversity and inclusion in sport, safeguarding and child protection, facility design, sports development and training.  She has been a director of Syzygy Leisure Ltd since 2003 alongside safeguarding roles at British Taekwondo and British Fencing, as well as a senior training role at UK Coaching.  Liz is filling the position vacated by Nicola Palios who had served on the Board as an Independent Director for the last five years.

British Rowing Chair Mark Davies said of the appointments: “I’m delighted to be welcoming Liz and Simon to the British Rowing Board and equally pleased to see Laura dedicated to continuing her excellent work for another term. We all thank Nicola and Andrew for their commitment to British Rowing and we will miss their input and expertise but we are excited and confident that the Board will go from strength to strength with Laura, Simon and Liz on board.

“All three appointees bring great experience and skills, which will be vital as we continue to drive the sport forward in the years ahead.”

Andy Parkinson, British Rowing CEO, added: “With these three appointments, the British Rowing Board and executive team will be able to draw upon a wide range of experience from the business and sporting worlds as we tackle the challenges faced by the sport.  I am very much looking forward to working with them all.”