Chief Executive’s Strategic Report


It is a pleasure and honour to be writing my first strategic report as CEO of the RYA. As we reflect on a successful and rewarding year, I would like to thank our members, the Board, senior management, committees, volunteers and our many key stakeholders for the warm welcome I have received.


Business Review


It has been a year of considerable change for the RYA. The Coronavirus pandemic continued to have an impact on our staff, operations and volunteers. As further lockdown restrictions were introduced several events and conferences had to be cancelled.


In many areas our income has rebounded to pre-pandemic levels. The domestic situation and lifting of travel restrictions had a positive impact on the number of people wanting to get on to the water in the UK. As a result, many of our clubs and training centres found themselves operating at full capacity at certain times throughout the year.


We continue to deal with the challenges posed to our operations and the implications for elite sailors, instructors and members following the UK’s exit from the EU and subsequent end to the Brexit transition period. This has resulted in both increased administrative workload and cost and continues to create difficulties and uncertainty. We were, however, delighted our work to lobby Government was pivotal in HMRC’s decision to waive the three-year condition for returned goods relief for UK residents returning their boats to the UK from the EU, having initially achieved a one-year extension to the grace period.


We have seen considerable turnover of Board members this year, not only with my appointment, but also with the the appointment of four Non-Executive Directors and, as a result, half of the Directors are new. This, coupled with changes to our senior management team influenced the Board’s decision to ask Chris Preston to remain as Chair for a further year and I am incredibly pleased that he has signalled that he is willing to do so. His tenure has coincided with a turbulent period in the Association’s history and we are grateful for his continued support and the stability his knowledge and insight will bring.


We shared the excitement of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games finally taking place over the summer and were thrilled and proud of the achievements of the British Sailing Team and Team GB. This global showcase, that always excites the world, was followed by the shock of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Our thoughts are with the people of Ukraine and we sincerely hope a solution can be found to bring peace. We continue to do all we can to help the Ukrainian sailing community.


The following pages highlight the broad range of activities, partnerships and engagements we undertake on behalf of our members and other stakeholders within the maritime, sporting and wider RYA community. This would not be possible without the support of our members, staff, volunteers, RYA qualified coaches and instructors and appointment holders. I hope you will join me in thanking them for all that they do to contribute to the successes of the RYA.


Principal Risks & Uncertainties


Work to successfully implement our digital transformation continues. This has proved difficult and we recognise the frustration this has caused our staff, members and other stakeholders. There are many processes that we can make easier for our members, as well as ensuring they are more efficient to deliver. However, our initial priority is to stabilise, maintain and enhance and then review our digital strategy.


We are mindful of the global economic situation following the Russian invasion of Ukraine and how this might impact the international market for RYA training. Closer to home rising inflationary and other economic pressures have the potential to disrupt the work of our domestic clubs and recognised training centres. This may also negatively influence publication sales and member numbers. The Board is also extremely concerned by the cost of living crisis and how this will impact our staff and other stakeholders.


Once again, our investment property and final salary pension scheme valuations have had a positive impact on our accounts and this, combined with our operating surplus, means we are in a great position to capitalise on the opportunities that inevitably lie ahead as we consult on our strategy for 2023 and beyond. I look forward to sharing more details with you in the future.


RYA ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2022 5


£7.7m Members’ funds


10.5m


RYA website page views


5 Tokyo Olympic medals 11.7m


People participated in on the water activities


104,883 Individual members


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