British Rowing appoints Director of Innovation
We are pleased to announce the appointment of Helen Rowbotham as British Rowing’s new Director of Innovation.
British Rowing is pleased to announce the appointment of Helen Rowbotham as its new Director of Innovation.
Helen will be joining British Rowing in early January 2016. She is currently Director of Consulting at CSM Strategic, the consulting team within the sports and entertainment division of Chime Communications.
Helen brings a wealth of experience to British Rowing following 17 years in the sports and events industry, delivering projects both in the UK and internationally for local, city and national government organisations; event bidding and organising committees; Olympic Committees; event rights holders and many others.
Her experience includes comprehensive strategic reviews of the Commonwealth Games Federation and Paralympic Games, the development of a High Performance Strategy for Saudi Arabia, multiple event feasibility and bidding projects (including the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games) and working on a wide range of facility development projects, including the 2012 Olympic Stadium and Singapore Sports Hub. She has also recently played a key role in the creation of a new strategic plan for the International Paralympic Committee’s Agitos Foundation.
A Loughborough University graduate, Helen has a strong track record in developing creative solutions for her clients, challenging the status quo and bringing together diverse groups of stakeholders to achieve mutually beneficial outcomes. She will be responsible for driving innovation across British Rowing and overseeing the implementation of new projects and initiatives.
“I am extremely excited and proud to be joining British Rowing. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time in consulting and have worked on a wide range of exciting projects with fantastic clients but I feel the time is right for a new challenge,” Helen commented.
“In a rapidly changing sports sector, embracing change and opportunities to innovate, whilst also respecting rowing’s unique heritage will be essential to its continued participation, performance and commercial success.”
Remarking on the appointment, Andy Parkinson, CEO of British Rowing, said: “I am absolutely delighted to be welcoming Helen to British Rowing in this new position. Helen has been hugely successful in delivering change in her previous role and with her understanding of the sector she will be an invaluable asset to British Rowing’s new senior team. There are many ideas out there in rowing at the moment and this role will enable British Rowing to have the focus, capacity and expertise to turn ideas into programmes, ensuring long-term sustainability and relevance to the next generation of rowers. Most importantly, Helen will be able to bring her experience to our sport and drive our approach to innovation at all levels. I am very much looking forward to working with her.”
CSM’s Deputy Chairman, Jim Glover, commented: “Helen has been a fantastic member of our team since she joined the CSM and Chime family in 2010, successfully leading a number of challenging and high profile projects. Her passion for sport and commitment to her clients has been unwavering. Whilst we will be sad to see her leave, she will undoubtedly be a great asset to British Rowing and we wish her continued success in her new role.”
