John Coyne has been appointed as the new chair of British Canoeing ©British Canoeing

John Coyne has been appointed as the new chair of the Board of British Canoeing in a management shake-up which has also seen Bronagh Kennedy appointed independent director.

Coyne, a former Vice Chancellor at the University of Derby who has spent a 40 year career in higher education, will officially join the Board on November 1.

Leading a new strategic approach will be his priority at the national governing body.

He will replace interim chair David Belbin and work alongside chief executive David Joy, who only took up his position at the beginning of this year.

Making the most of commercial opportunities provided by the Olympic gold medals won by K1 slalom paddler Joe Clarke and 200 metres sprinter Liam Heath at Rio 2016 will be a key aim.

“Naturally I am delighted to have been appointed as the new chair of British Canoeing at an exciting time for the sport, as we embark on a new strategy that will be launched next year," Coyne said.

“I look forward to working with my fellow Board directors providing governance, leadership and guidance, alongside being proactive in supporting all members of the paddling community to grow and develop the sport on the back of a successful Rio 2016 Games.”

Making the most of the opportunities provided by gold medals won by the likes of Liam Heath at Rio 2016 is a key aim for the new Board members ©Getty Images
Making the most of the opportunities provided by gold medals won by the likes of Liam Heath at Rio 2016 is a key aim for the new Board members ©Getty Images

Coyne, who was awarded a Commander of the British Empire (CBE) for services to higher education in the 2015 New Year's Honours List, also has years of experience in business sectors.

He was a founder director on the Board of D2N2 - the Local Enterprise Partnership for Derby, Derbyshire, Nottingham and Nottinghamshire - as well as a member of the UK Commission on Employment and Skills.

Kennedy is a similarly experienced secretary and general counsel who has worked for Severn Trent since June 2011. 

“Following an open and transparent recruitment process in which we attracted a number of high calibre candidates I am extremely pleased that the Board has appointed Professor John Coyne and Bronagh Kennedy as chair and independent Directors," added Belbin.

“I am confident that both John and Bronagh will bring a high level of expertise and knowledge to our Board, alongside a passion for canoeing and an ambition to see the sport flourish.”

She will also be the chair of British Canoeing’s new Human Resources and Remunerations Committee.