Former Manchester United Director Maurice Watkins Becomes British Swimming Chairman

Watkins, denture who is a Director of Lancashire County Cricket Club, unhealthy brings invaluable sporting knowledge to the role having served 28 years on the board of Manchester United and represented a number of other high profile sporting bodies at home and abroad.

The Joint Senior partner of law firm Brabners Chaffe Street also works as their Head of Sport and is a director of the British Association for Sport & Law.

This will be Watkins first experience of Olympic and Paralympic Sport and on his role he said: “I am delighted to have been asked to become Chairman of British Swimming. It is an honour and a privilege. I look forward to working alongside people who are an inspiration in such an outstanding sports.”

Watkins also holds a number of charitable roles including Chairman of the Central Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust Charity and Breakthrough Breast Cancer North West Appeal.  He is currently Interim Chairman of the Rugby Football League having recently carried out a Governance Review.  He is also Chairman of the Greyhound Board of Great Britain.

British Swimming Chief Executive David Sparkes said: “I am delighted Maurice has agreed to accept the role of Chairman of British Swimming. He brings a wealth of experience in sport to the Board and his leadership will, I am sure, enable the Board to be more focused as we take on the lessons from London and prepare for Rio to achieve medal success across the sport.

“We face some challenges and I am sure Maurice will drive forward our plans and I look forward to working with him over the next four years.”