The Boat Race Company Limited appoints new Chair

London, 22 April 2021.     The Boat Race Company Limited is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr Tim Senior as Non-Executive Chair of The Boat Race Company Board of Directors effective 22 April 2021. 

Tim Senior takes over the role from Robert Gillespie who is retiring from the post after twelve years.   During his tenure Robert Gillespie was instrumental in achieving equality for the Women’s Boat Race, and successfully steered the organisation through challenging times, including the 2021 Gemini Boat Race in Ely.

David Searle, Executive Director – Operations, will also be retiring from the Boat Race Company and stepping down from the BRCL Board. He joined in 2009 and has since spent twelve years working alongside the rival clubs and The Oxford & Cambridge Rowing Foundation to deliver a well-organised, safe race.

Robert Gillespie said:  “Although we have faced challenges, the past twelve years have been rewarding, eventful and exciting with much change and progress for this world-famous amateur sporting event.  I am proud to have been a part of it and of having brought the Women’s Boat Race to The Tideway Course in 2015, with women now racing on the same course as the men.   I am looking forward to seeing The Boat Race continue with our values of  teamwork, passion, and excellence.”

Tim Senior is a Managing Director and Head of the Energy, Mobility and Resources team within the Specialised and Asset Finance Division at Macquarie Bank in London and has held senior commercial and finance positions in business, finance, and energy in the public and private sectors.  He holds a MPhil Economics from St Catharine’s College, Cambridge University; a DPhil Economics from Oriel, Oxford University; and an MBA from Saïd Business School, Oxford University.

Tim Senior:   “I am delighted to join the Board of the Boat Race Company and to become part of such a unique and historic event.   Like many sports events, the Boat Race has faced challenges recently, but the team achieved an amazing event in difficult circumstances this year and this is an exciting opportunity to help shape a successful and enduring future for this iconic event. I am looking forward to working with the team to deliver one of the highest profile rowing events in the world while creating a better shared future, inspiring others through the transformative potential of sport.”

The Boat Race Company would like to welcome Tim Senior and thank Robert Gillespie and David Searle for their commitment and contribution over the past twelve years. We will provide more details about Robert’s and David’s contributions to The Boat Race on our website soon.