Dr Patrick Roberts appointed Interim BWL Chair

British Weight Lifting is delighted to announce that Dr Patrick Roberts has agreed to take on the role of BWL Interim Chair for a period of up to 12 months. Patrick has been a non-executive director of the organisation since February 2015 and more recently was appointed BWL’s Senior Non-Executive Director and Chair of the Audit and Finance Committee.

A former army officer and keen weight lifter, Patrick has worked in Business Continuity and Security consultancy since 2003 and is currently a founding Director of Cambridge Risk Solutions, which provides practical, cost-effective solutions to clients in the private, public and voluntary sectors.

Working with many leading organisations in the UK and overseas, he specialises in Risk Modelling, Business Continuity training and Disaster Recovery solutions.

Patrick takes over from Peter Rowley OBE, who has stepped down after five years as Chair of BWL. Peter has been a key figure in leading the transformation of a very traditional, Corinthian sport and turning round the performance of a small National Governing Body. BWL has, under his stewardship, made positive strides and is now in a much-improved space on and off the platform in terms of successes, development and governance.

The Board would like to thank Peter for working tirelessly over this period, committing a huge amount of time and energy to our sport.  Although he offered much in terms of Boardroom expertise, he was always quick to acknowledge the athletes, coaches, and volunteers and recognise their efforts and those of others far more than his own.

Under his leadership, the sport enjoyed a most successful period and critically we have witnessed a huge change in the reputation of the sport. BWL are now far more widely respected by International and National stakeholders, including our Governing Bodies and Funders. The organisation can now offer a platform to play its part in helping generate elite athletes capable of winning medals, whilst at grass roots level stronger, fitter, healthier communities.