New faces at the helm
There have been several new appointments to the RYA leadership and Board in the past year. Please join us in welcoming and congratulating them all on their new roles.
Professor Sir Michael Arthur
An experienced racing and cruising sailor, Sir Michael joined as the new Chair of the RYA Board in November 2023. A member of the RYA for over 30 years, he has a wealth of leadership experience and skills from his executive career and his previous roles as Chair of the Russell Group of UK universities and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Leeds. He was the tenth Provost and President of University College London between 2013 and January 2021. Sir Michael has also been an advocate for equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) throughout his career. He succeeds Chris Preston, who completed his term as RYA Chair in November 2023.
Polly Handford
Polly joined the RYA Board in 2023 as a Non-Executive Director. A qualified solicitor and General Council for the FA and RFU, she has experience in grassroots sailing, including sailing for her university team in Bristol. Polly is
passionate about inclusive and safe sports regulations and believes in making changes to help others succeed. As a Non-Executive Director, she will help supervise the management of the RYA’s business and ensure compliance with the Code for Sports Governance, as well as fulfilling the role of welfare lead.
Pip Woods
Pip joined the RYA Board as a Non-Executive Director in November last year. Pip has held the role of Managing Director at an RYA Training Centre for over two decades. Pip is enthusiastic about nurturing future talent and inspiring the next generation of sailors and enthusiasts. Her engagement with the RYA includes being an RYA Dinghy Scheme Trainer and Coach, and formerly Chairing the Participation and Membership Committee. Pip has previously been a Non-Executive Board Member at British Marine.
James Avery James was welcomed to the role of non-executive, Independent Safeguarding Advisor in June 2023. In this
role he will chair the Safeguarding Steering Group on policy development and drive the RYA safeguarding action plan, while also advising and supporting teams on case management. James was previously Director of Nursing
in the NHS, a role in which he gained a wealth of experience and a strong record of service delivery in challenging environments. James is a keen sailor and commodore of his local sailing club.
Thank you to our Partners Official partners
British Sailing Team commercial partners
RYA Annual Strategic Report 2024
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