British Rowing appoint Rowbotham as director of innovation

Helen Rowbotham has been named as British Rowing's Director of Innovation ©British Rowing

British Rowing has appointed Helen Rowbotham as their new director of innovation.

The Loughborough University graduate, currently director of consulting at CSM Strategic, is due to begin in the newly-created role in January and has been tasked with overseeing new projects and initiatives at the governing body.

“I am extremely excited and proud to be joining British Rowing," she said.

"I have thoroughly enjoyed my time in consulting and have worked on a wide range of exciting projects with fantastic clients but I feel the time is right for a new challenge.

“In a rapidly changing sports sector, embracing change and opportunities to innovate, whilst also respecting rowing’s unique heritage, will be essential to its continued participation, performance and commercial success.”

Rowbotham has spent 17-years in the sports and events industry, delivering projects both in the United Kingdom and other countries.

Helen Rowbotham has been tasked with overseeing new projects and initiatives at British Rowing ©Getty Images

Her experience includes comprehensive strategic reviews of the Commonwealth Games Federation and the Paralympic Games and the development of a high performance strategy for Saudi Arabia.

She has also worked on the London 2012 Olympic Stadium and the Singapore Sports Hub, and played a key role in the creation of a new strategic plan for the International Paralympic Committee’s Agitos Foundation.

Andy Parkinson, chief executive British Rowing, said: "I am absolutely delighted to be welcoming Helen to British Rowing in this new position.

"Helen has been hugely successful in delivering change in her previous role and with her understanding of the sector she will be an invaluable asset to British Rowing’s new senior team.

"There are many ideas out there in rowing at the moment and this role will enable British Rowing to have the focus, capacity and expertise to turn ideas into programmes, ensuring long-term sustainability and relevance to the next generation of rowers.

"Most importantly, Helen will be able to bring her experience to our sport and drive our approach to innovation at all levels.

"I am very much looking forward to working with her.”