Rowing Committee Chair

Fixed-term, Part-time · Remote

A bit about the role

This is an exciting opportunity to lead the new Rowing Committee. This is a key strategic leadership role within British Rowing's governance framework, designed to ensure the Committee operates effectively and efficiently in line with its terms of reference and delegated responsibilities. The Committee is responsible for providing strategic oversight, policy direction on behalf of the Board, and guidance on all aspects of the sport, including participation, competition, and athlete development. It also acts as a representative body for engaging with the wider rowing community. The Chair of the Rowing Committee will also sit on the British Rowing Board, ensuring that the Committee’s perspectives and recommendations are represented at the highest level of decision making.

Specific Responsibilities of Rowing Committee Chair

Ensure the smooth running of the Committee, to achieve its objectives and responsibilities as set out in the terms of reference.
Lead the Committee effectively, efficiently, setting expectations and standards.
Ensuring the Committee members work collaboratively with one another and with the executive.
Ensuring everyone can contribute and is heard in and out of meetings.
Adhering to best practice in governance and all relevant policies and procedures.
Setting the agenda ensuring members receive accurate, succinct, and timely information.
Managing the agenda to ensure sufficient time for complex or challenging issues and a balanced agenda e.g. performance management, forward looking/horizon scanning.
Regular review of the Committee composition, developing succession plans.
Evaluating the Committee’s performance periodically, at least annually.
Working with the secretariat to ensure the effective running of the Committee meetings, the terms of reference are fully delivered and to provide timely reporting after each meeting to the relevant forum e.g. Board (using standard templates)

Responsibilities as a Non Executive Director

Act as a Company Director, meeting all statutory and fiduciary responsibilities and regulations (e.g. UKS and SE Code) e.g. promote the success of the company(Companies Act), to act with integrity, lead by example and promote the desired culture of the organisation (UK Corporate Governance Code).
Establish and periodically review the vision, strategy, values, and objectives.
Identify opportunities to help achieve British Rowing’s strategy and objectives.
Monitor performance, financial expenditure, risk, and resource allocation against the strategic plan and agreed goals and objectives periodically.
Ensure British Rowing always maintains a sound financial position.
Contribute to determining risk appetite and ensuring appropriate risk management and internal control frameworks are in place to meet this.
Collective responsibility for all matters and decisions made by the Board.
Continually assess and understand the external environment impacting British Rowing –“horizon scanning”.
Build effective relationships with external partners as required.
Undertake Board training when appropriate.
Take responsibility for their training and development needs to successfully perform the role.
Contribute to Board and Committee succession planning and talent management.
Positively participate in periodic Board, Committee, and individual evaluations.
Act as an Ambassador for British Rowing e.g. attending external meetings, hosting partners, sponsors and other stakeholders

A bit about you

The successful candidate will have significant understanding of the sport of rowing in Great Britain and NI, the major stakeholders and sectors. They will serve as a member of the British Rowing Board, and will report on the work of the Committee.

Mandatory Requirements

Essential

Demonstrate a strong understanding of the sport's structure and development throughout GB and NI, and knowledge of key stakeholders.
Excellent leadership and people management skills to bring the diverse group of individuals who make up the Committee together, enabling them to collaborate effectively towards a shared purpose.
Strong organisational skills, with the ability to generate a consensus and manage conflict.
Demonstrate a good understanding of financial matters and risk management, including familiarity with reporting processes and internal controls.
Strong communication skills with experience of public speaking.
Be able to constructively challenge, act as a “critical friend”.
Critical thinking and analysis to evaluate a complex range of viewpoints and information and focus on the key issues / strategic priorities / outcomes.
Bring long term thinking and planning to the Committee, anticipating future challenges and opportunities.
Contribute insights using your skills, experience, and expertise.
Be open, honest, and respectful in all communications.
Be able to exercise independent judgement beyond personal views or agenda.
An understanding of the established principles of current corporate governance and the need for frameworks for assurance and accountability.
A clear understanding of and the ability to empathise with volunteers who make an important contribution to the running of the sport.
Keep up to date with all the required technical knowledge needed for the role, including having the ability to develop sport specific strategy.
Maintain a knowledge of the sport and broader sector wide activities to stay relevant.
A commitment to diversity, equality, and inclusion.
Capacity to work out of hours including weekend, evening and early morning meetings.
Be an ambassador of the sport of Rowing

Desirable

Experience chairing a committee or similar body

Additional Information

Terms of appointment

This role is unremunerated, and reasonable pre-agreed travel expenses will be reimbursed. The role requires attending six to eight Board meetings each year (held in London or virtually) and Chairing the Rowing Committee, which typically meets six times annually. In addition, attendance will be required at one AGM.

The appointment is for a four-year term (from the date of the following AGM) which can be renewed once at the discretion of the Board.

Process

To apply for this role, please submit your application alongside your CV, a one-page cover letter and a short summary (max 100 words) explaining your suitability and motivation for the role. We’re going to close applications on 19th February 2026 but, if you like the sound of the job, please apply straight away. Due to this being an open recruitment for a Member Elected Director Role, if you are successfully shortlisted you may be required to speak or answer questions at the General Meeting on the 24 March 2026 (date subject to change) in front of the Regional Representatives who will vote on the final candidate.

Please note that your application may be circulated by the Regional Representatives during this process.

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About us

Our passion is rowing in all of its forms. British Rowing is the governing body for rowing, responsible for supporting grassroots rowing in England and preparing the GB Rowing Team ready for the Olympics, Paralympics, and other international competitions.

Our vision is a sport that welcomes and has an offer for everyone. Our mission is to create a healthy, inclusive and life-enhancing sport. We are a membership organisation with over 30,000 individual members, supporting over 550 affiliated clubs and 230 affiliated events. We cover all types of rowing - whether it’s on the river or lake, on the sea, at home, or in the gym.

We are committed to equal opportunities and welcomes applications from all individuals, regardless of age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, and marriage and civil partnership. If you require reasonable accommodations to participate in the recruitment process, please let us know by indicating your needs to the HR team in the application form or by emailing hr@britishrowing.org.

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We are looking forward to hearing from you!

Thank you for your interest in British Rowing. Please fill out the following short form. If you have any difficulties completing the application form, please send an email to hr@britishrowing.org.