BPA Unveils Hollingsworth as New Chief Executive

The British Paralympic Association has today announced the appointment of Tim Hollingsworth as its new CEO. Hollingsworth joins from UK Sport, where he is Chief Operating Officer, a post he has held since September 2010 having previously been Director of Policy and Communications there for five years.

Hollingsworth was appointed following a comprehensive and rigorous recruitment process after the previous CEO, Phil Lane, stepped down in February. Hollingsworth was chosen for his business acumen, leadership skills, in depth knowledge of the sporting landscape and vast experience in managing and influencing complex stakeholder relationships, gained through his previous roles at UK Sport, Granada Media and the Confederation of British Industry

He will join the BPA in July in time for a very busy period of both games preparation and international engagement for the organisation, with the large scale ParalympicsGB Simulation Camp being held at the University of Bath in August and the Chef de Mission seminar at the beginning of September.

Commenting on the announcement, BPA Chair, Tim Reddish said:

“This is a crucial appointment for our organisation as we head into what will be the most important Games ever for Paralympic sport in the UK. Tim stood out from a field of high calibre candidates and impressed us with his track record of building relationships in both the sporting and commercial sector. This, coupled with his clear passion for Paralympic sport and in depth knowledge of the challenges and opportunities presented by a home Games, mean that we believe he is the ideal candidate to lead the organisation through 2012 and beyond. We’re delighted to welcome him on board.”

Tim Holllingsworth said:

“I am thrilled to join the BPA at this vital time in its history. With not much more than a year to go before London 2012, there is a tremendous opportunity not just to maximise our athletes’ success at the Games but also to drive a step-change in Paralympic sport and its ability to impact on attitudes and change people’s lives. I look forward to playing my part with a great team to deliver this. I would also like to thank everyone at UK Sport for their support and good wishes. UK Sport is a great organisation playing a vital role in British sport and I look forward to working with them and all the BPA’s partners to further the success of our athletes, ParalympicsGB and the Paralympic movement in this country.”

Liz Nicholl, Chief Executive of UK Sport, said: “Since joining six years ago Tim has made a tremendous impact at UK Sport, was an important part of our team and it is easy to see why his skills and attributes were recognised by the British Paralympic Association. While we are all sad to see him go, we also recognise that this is a great opportunity for Tim to take on this significant lead role at a special moment in British sporting history and although UK Sport will lose a valued team member, British sport will gain a very strong lead for Paralympic Sport in the run up to 2012 and beyond.

“I would like to place on record my personal thanks for Tim’s hard work and support over the past six years and to wish him well in what I am sure will be an incredibly exciting and rewarding new role. The next 18 months is a hugely important time for sport in this country and we look forward to working with Tim and his team to help ensure British Paralympic athletes are best prepared when they reach the start line in 2012.”

Baroness Sue Campbell, Chair of UK Sport, said: “Whilst we greatly regret the loss of such an excellent colleague and outstanding professional, we are delighted that the British Paralympic Association have appointed Tim as their new CEO and we look forward to working closely with him in the future to see Paralympic sport go from strength to strength.”

Sir Philip Craven, President of the International Paralympic Committee, said: “I’d like to welcome Tim to the Paralympic Movement and wish him well for his new role which, with London 2012 less than 500 days away, will certainly be an exciting start.

“Tim is no stranger to Paralympic Sport or the Movement having spent six years at UK Sport. I am fully confident that this experience will be invaluable to him as he joins ParalympicsGB at what is arguably the most exciting time ever for Paralympic Sport in the UK.”

Sport and Olympics Minister Hugh Robertson said: “This is one of the most important jobs in sport as we approach the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Tim Hollingsworth has done an excellent job at UK Sport, at the heart of this country’s high performance system, so he is ideally placed to lead the BPA forward.”

Chief Executive of the British Equestrian Federation, Andrew Finding commented on the appointment: “I have known Tim for a good many years through his work at UK Sport. I am sure he will be a great asset to the British Paralympic Association and will be able to lead a strong team into the Paralympic Games next year.”

Niels de Vos, Chief Executive of UK Athletics commented: “The team at UKA have worked closely with Tim over the last few years, developing a positive working relationship with him and this will undoubtedly continue when he takes up his new role at the BPA where we are confident he will do an excellent job. With a home Games on the horizon, it is an exciting time for British Paralympic sport and we look forward to working in partnership with Tim and his team to make the most of this once in a lifetime opportunity and realise our ambition.”

LOCOG CEO Paul Deighton commented: “Tim is an excellent choice. His knowledge of the British sporting landscape will be hugely valuable to the BPA on its journey to London 2012 and beyond.”