Annamarie Phelps becomes vice-chair of British Olympic Association

British Rowing chairman Annamarie Phelps is unanimously elected vice-chair of the British Olympic Association, having sat on the executive board since 2015

British Rowing chairman Annamarie Phelps CBE has become vice-chair of the British Olympic Association (BOA).

Phelps, who has been chairman of British Rowing since 2013, was voted in unanimously by the 43 members of the National Olympic Committee. She takes over the position from Sir Hugh Robertson, who was appointed chairman in November 2016.

Speaking of the appointment, Phelps said: “Since retiring from competitive rowing I have retained an involvement in sport at all levels and across a number of organisations. I believe that I can bring experience from across sport, commercial and charity sectors in a number of important areas.

“I will bring a personal commitment to work with the Board, Chair and Senior Leadership Team to ensure the BOA remains a strong, innovative and well-governed leader in British sport working with, and supporting, the National Governing Bodies to achieve even greater success in future years.”

Robertson commented on the appointment, saying: “It will be a privilege to work alongside Annamarie in her capacity as Vice-Chair. Her appointment is a validation of the fact that she is extremely well respected not only here at the BOA and British Rowing, but in the wider sporting community.

“It is important for the BOA to have as its Vice-Chair someone with the perspective of another athlete, who has vast experience of running a national governing body and is a female leader.

“It also exemplifies the determination that exists at the BOA to develop a class leading Governance structure.”

Phelps represented Great Britain at the Atlanta 1996 Olympic Games in the women’s eight and was world champion in the lightweight women’s four in 1993. She joined the BOA board in October 2015.