By Paul Osborne

Roy Headey has been appointed as the new head of performance sport for British Gymnastics ©British GymnasticsNovember 27 - British Gymnastics have appointed Rugby Football Union's (RFU) head of sports science, Roy Headey, as its new head of performance sport.


Headey, who has led the RFU's sport science programme for over 10 years having taken up the position in 2001, will come into the new role with a vast array of experience having previously held positions as head of the English Institute of Sport and head of operations at Sport England's World Class programmes.

Headey also had a spell as non-executive director of the Olympic boxing programme.

"Roy has been Head of Sports Science at the RFU for over ten years and the extensive knowledge he has gained in this role and others held within the sector will be put to good use in leading our high performance programme," said Jane Allen, chief executive if British Gymnastics.

"The appointment of Roy is a key step forward as we prepare for Rio 2016 and beyond."

Headey will take up his new post at the beginning of February next year.

British Gymnastics will be hoping that the appointment of Headey will help them build on their performances at London 2012 which saw the men take bronze in the team event ©Getty ImagesBritish Gymnastics will be hoping that the appointment of Headey will help them build on their performances at London 2012 which saw the men take bronze in the team event
©Getty Images


Claire Jackson also joins British Gymnastics as the new head of marketing and communications sporting a 15 year background in the field.

Jackson's experience includes working with global and national brands across a broad range or roles including digital integrated marketing, televisiion production and broadcast, media and PR, and sponsorship.

These two new appointments follow on from a host of changes in British Gymnastics' senior management which has seen the appointment of Matt Neville as the new Chairman and Alan Sommerville as President.

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