British Rowing’s Chairman, Annamarie Phelps, awarded a CBE in the New Year’s Honours 2016

31 December 2015 – We are delighted to announce that British Rowing’s Chairman, Annamarie Phelps (nee Stapleton), has been awarded a CBE (Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire) in the New Year’s Honours 2016 in recognition for her services to rowing.

Annamarie, Chairman of British Rowing since February 2013, has been actively involved in rowing for over thirty years after taking up the sport at university.

She enjoyed a successful international rowing career representing Great Britain at the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta (women’s eight). Annamarie also competed in World Rowing Championships between 1991 and 1995 as well as the Commonwealth Regatta in 1994. She was World Champion in 1993 (lightweight coxless fours) and World Indoor Rowing Champion and World Indoor Rowing Record holder between 1992 and 1995 (lightweight women).

Out of the boat, Annamarie was Lead Safeguarding Officer at British Rowing for 11 years, and oversaw the anti-doping, governance and equality policies within the National Governing Body as Deputy Chairman from 2002 to 2013. She was the first female board member of The Boat Race Company Ltd, working with the universities sponsors and men’s clubs to bring the Women’s University Boat Race to the Tideway in 2015. Annamarie has also been a Steward of Henley Royal Regatta since 2002.

Annamarie is a trustee and vice chairman of the British Paralympic Association and has recently been appointed to the board of the British Olympic Association.

Annamarie said: “It’s a great honour to be awarded a CBE. Rowing is a sport I am truly passionate about and it’s been a privilege to be involved in the sport at all levels, both on and off the water, over the past 30 years. A huge thank you must go to my family for their unconditional support and to the wider rowing community, volunteers and staff at British Rowing who have helped me every step of the way.”

Looking ahead to 2016, Annamarie added: “The Olympic and Paralympic Games in Rio will be a great showcase for our sport and a great opportunity for our superb athletes to perform on the world stage. Away from international competition, a big focus for me over the coming months will be to further develop the inclusivity and diversity of our sport and provide better access to those coming to rowing for the first time. I’ll also be working closely with our international body, FISA (Fédération Internationale des Sociétés d’Aviron), to strengthen the sport globally. 2016 will be an exciting and busy year.”

Andy Parkinson, CEO of British Rowing, added: “To be awarded such a prestigious accolade for services to rowing is testament to Annamarie’s hard-work, passion and dedication to the sport. She is an asset to both British Rowing and the wider sporting world.”

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Media Enquiries:
British Rowing
Kenny Baillie
Director of Partnerships and Communications
Mobile: +44 (0) 7818 576 132
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.britishhrowing.org

About the honours system:
Please visit https://www.gov.uk/honours/overview for more details.