British Rowing announces two new Independent Directors

British Rowing is delighted to announce the appointment of two experienced Independent Directors who will each act as Chairman of one of the organisation’s committees.

John Hinnigan joins British Rowing as Chairman of the Finance Committee and Jonathan Vickers as Chairman of the Audit and Risk Committee. They both join Fiona McAnena and Nicola Palios as the four Independent Directors on the Board of British Rowing.

John Hinnigan, a life-long rower and member of Royal Chester and Grosvenor Rowing Clubs has extensive non-executive director experience in both the commercial and not for profit sectors. He is currently an Independent Governor, Finance Committee and Chairman of the Audit and Risk Committee at Bishops’ Bluecoat High School. He is also working closely with his local authority to realise the new Chester Watersports Hub. 

Currently a Director of Grange Partners Limited, his own consultancy business, John’s career was founded in international industrial sales and marketing management. While at Unilever he rose to become CEO of the industrial detergents business in Brazil, before joining Crosfield Group as Deputy Chairman of this manufacturing company. He then had seven years in office as Chairman and CEO. More recently he served as Chairman of Veritape, a software and payments security provider.

Jonathan Vickers also has extensive non-executive director experience, mainly in the public and voluntary sectors, including UK Sport, where he served on the Board and the Audit Committee for six years to 2014. He currently serves the Department of Energy and Climate Change as an independent member of the Investment Committee, and the 2gether NHS Foundation Trust as Board member, Audit Committee member, and Development Committee Chairman. Other audit committees Jonathan has served on include Children’s Workforce Development Council, the NHS South West Strategic Health Authority and The Planning Inspectorate.

Jonathan had a distinguished career in the oil industry, working 15 years for Royal Dutch Shell Group in many international management positions before joining Burmah Castrol, rising to become Director of International Specialty Chemicals.

Annamarie Phelps, Chairman of British Rowing said: ‘We are delighted that John and Jonathan are joining British Rowing as Independent Directors. Their deep and varied non-executive director experience, coupled with extensive and successful business careers in the private sector, will be a huge asset to the organisation as a whole, and especially to the important work of both the Finance and the Audit and Risk Committees.

Chairman Phelps adds: ‘This is a very positive move for British Rowing bringing the number of independent directors on the Board of British Rowing to four. Their skillsets and experience strengthen the expertise of the Board at a time when we are seeking to modernise the way we work.’