GB Surfing is delighted to strengthen its board with three new Independent Non-Executive Directors (INEDs) who will bring significant financial and commercial experience to the organisation.
Surfing’s inclusion to the Olympic programme has given the sport a new platform to generate increased awareness, participation and elite performance across the four home nations. In order to maximise this opportunity, GB Surfing has been quick to appoint three industry-leading INEDs who will work with the executive team to build the organisation’s brand identity and to generate increased commercial revenue.
Rhys Beer, Senior Vice President at the leading sports media & technology company OneFootball, will bring extensive commercial and digital experience to the Board. Formerly Head of International Content Strategy & Acquisitions at Meta (Facebook & Instagram), Rhys is a respected commentator on the changing face of the media & tech sector and was previously recognised as one of the world’s top 30 leaders aged under 40 in the prestigious Leaders Sports Awards.
He will be joined by Hugo Adams, former Chief Executive of Start-Rite, who brings over 25 years of commercial and marketing experience and knowledge. Hugo has held senior leadership positions at seven market-leading companies including Superdry and Marks & Spencer and is currently an INED at Inspecs Plc’.
Simon Brewer, a Principal at Bond Trust Limited, joins the Board as Treasurer. Simon is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants having trained with PWC; he went on to be one of the founding partners of Sanne Group Plc. Simon is a keen surfer and helped establish the Jersey Surfboard Club Junior Academy as well as managing the Channel Islands Surf Team at ISA and ESF competitions worldwide.
The three new additions join Vicky Gosling OBE (Chair), Arlene Maltman (Channel Islands Surfing Federation), William Watson (Scottish Surfing Federation), Ben Powis (Surfing England), Huw John (Welsh Surfing Federation), and Dave Cove (Non-Executive Director) on the British Surfing Board.
GB Surfing was awarded progression funding by UK Sport in 2020 for shortboard surfing with the aim of producing athletes capable of winning Olympic medals by 2032 and creating a pathway to ensure continued success. More details on the programme will be available ahead of the ISA World Surfing Games in May.