British Rowing has established its governance structure, processes and procedures to comply with a number of relevant and diverse standards, as well as its responsibilities and duties under national law.

British Rowing has made a commitment in relation to the Code for Sport Governance (the Code). The Code was jointly produced by UK Sport and Sport England, and applies to all organisations within the United Kingdom to whom they provide funding. The Code contains a number of core Principles and Requirements: British Rowing has committed to comply with these Principles and Requirements.

The core principles of the Code are:

• Structure: Organisations shall have a clear and appropriate governance structure, led by a Board that is collectively responsible for the long-term success of the organisation and exclusively vested with the power to lead it. The Board shall be properly constituted, and shall operate effectively.
• People: Organisations shall recruit and engage people with diversity of background, thought, independence, skills and experience to take effective decisions that further the organisation’s goals and best serve their communities, stakeholders and wider UK society.
• Communication: Organisations shall be transparent and accountable, engaging effectively with stakeholders and nurturing internal democracy.
• Standards and Conduct: Organisations shall uphold high standards of integrity, promote an ethical and inclusive culture, and engage in regular and effective evaluation to drive continuous improvement.
• Policies and Processes: Organisations shall comply with all applicable laws and regulations; consider the social and environmental impact of their decisions; undertake responsible financial strategic planning, and have appropriate controls and risk management procedures.

British Rowing operates according to these principles in the practical application of its governance. In particular:

• The Board has overall responsibility for British Rowing.
• Governance is based on collaboration.
  British Rowing is an organisation where people want to work together to achieve a common goal. Its governance arrangements are designed to encourage agreement and working together.
• Governance processes are proportionate.
  British Rowing has established governance processes to help it make sound and accountable decisions.
  British Rowing relies on and trusts the skills and judgement of its people.
• Governance should reflect everyone.
  Rowing attracts and embraces people with varying interests and perspectives.
  British Rowing’s governance structures and processes recognise this breadth of interests, providing a voice for different views through a genuinely democratic structure.

The Board of British Rowing is the ultimate decision-making body for British Rowing and exercises all of British Rowing’s Powers as created by the Articles. British Rowing has an Executive Team, which is charged with the day-to-day operation of the business. The Board determines the strategy and direction of British Rowing on the basis of proposals submitted by the Executive Team.

The Board of British Rowing has the power to:

• Affiliate clubs, competitions and other rowing events to British Rowing.
• Suspend, disqualify and reinstate clubs competitions and other rowing events to British Rowing.
• Approve the formation of Regional Rowing Councils and their constitutions.
• Adopt/make/add to/alter/revoke the regulations or rules of British Rowing.

The members of the Board are the Directors of British Rowing Ltd for the purposes of the Companies Act and comprises:

• The Chair
• The Deputy Chair
• Four Independent Directors (one of which is the Senior Independent Director)
• Home Nations Director
• Chief Executive Officer
• Chair of the Sport Committee
• Two Nominated Directors
• Athlete Director (elected by GB Rowing Athletes

For more information about the Board and recent minutes go to:

The Board

The Board has appointed a number of sub-committees including:

• The Nominations Committee
• The Finance Committee
• The Audit and Risk Committee
• The Sport Committee

The Sport Committee is the co-ordinating committee for the development of the sport and is made up of:

• A Chair and Deputy Chair (elected by the Regional Representatives).
• The Chairs of the following sub-committees: National Coaching, National Competition, British Rowing Events, National Umpiring, Junior Rowing, Masters Rowing, Recreational Rowing, and Rowing Safety.

There are a number of panels which report either to the Sport Committee or to the Board. These include:

• Safeguarding
• Disciplinary and Grievance
• Medical
• Anti-Doping and Integrity
• Multi-Lane Umpiring

For more information on British Rowing Committees and Panels see:

Committees and Panels

British Rowing has two Honorary advisory posts, Rowing Safety Adviser and Medical Adviser.

Appointment

The Regional Representatives may nominate:

1. an Honorary President for a term of 3 years; and
2. any number of Honorary Vice Presidents either for terms of 3 years each or for life (Honorary Life Vice President).

There shall be no obligation for the Regional Representatives to appoint an Honorary President or any Honorary Vice Presidents

The Chair shall present nominations for Honorary President or Honorary Vice President to the Board following consultation with the Regional Representatives.

The Board may in its sole discretion approve any nominations for appointments to the position of Honorary President or Honorary Vice President.

An Honorary President or Honorary Vice Presidents may have their term renewed by the Board as many times as the Board deems appropriate

Rights of Honorary President or Honorary Vice President

Following appointment, any Honorary President or Honorary Vice Presidents shall be entitled to attend General Meetings but, unless otherwise qualified to do so, may not vote.

Removal of Honorary President or Honorary Vice President

If, in the reasonable opinion of the Chair, an Honorary President or Honorary Vice President is deemed to have brought British Rowing into disrepute or it is no longer considered desirable for any reason that the incumbent should continue in post, the Chair shall report such matter to the Board which will have discretion to remove such Honorary President or Vice President at any time.

There are two Honorary Life Vice Presidents: Annamarie Phelps CBE and Mike Williams.

Honorary Rowing Safety Advisor

The Regional Representatives shall nominate a person to act as Honorary Rowing Safety Advisor.

The Chair shall present the nomination for Honorary Rowing Safety Advisor to the Board following consultation with the Regional Representatives.

The Board may in its sole discretion approve the nomination for the position of Honorary Rowing Safety Advisor.

The Honorary Rowing Safety Advisor shall be appointed for a term of three years, which may be renewed by the Board as many times as the Board deems appropriate. The Honorary Rowing Safety Advisor will be a member of the Rowing Safety Committee and a voting member of the Sport Committee.

Removal of Honorary Rowing Safety Advisor

If, in the reasonable opinion of the Chair, the Honorary Rowing Safety Advisor is deemed to have brought British Rowing into disrepute or it is no longer considered desirable for any reason that the incumbent should continue in post, the Chair shall report such matter to the Board which will have discretion to remove the Honorary Rowing Safety Advisor.

Directors’ Report and Financial Statements (to 31 March 2023)

Directors’ Report and Financial Statements (to 31 March 2022)

Annual Governance Statement (to 31 March 2023)

Annual Governance Statement (to 31 March 2022)