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Siobhan Cassidy announced as new Chair of the Boat Race Company Limited Board

Siobhan has been acting as Interim Chair following the very sad death of former Chair Tim Senior earlier this year

The Boat Race Company Limited (BRCL) is delighted to announce the formal appointment of Siobhan Cassidy as Chair of the Board of BRCL, the company responsible for delivering The Boat Race.

Siobhan has held several leadership positions within rowing, notably both Vice-Chair and Chair of Cambridge University Women’s Boat Club, for whom she won a Blue in 1995 whilst a graduate at Homerton College. Siobhan joined the BRCL board in 2018 and represented CUWBC and the newly integrated Cambridge University Boat Club as a Club Representative, and has served on various Committees. She has sat on the National Schools’ Regatta Committee for 17 years, working with colleagues to organise the largest junior rowing event in the UK. As a rower, Siobhan also represented Great Britain at Under 23 level, winning a bronze medal at the World Student Games.

Siobhan commented: “I am truly honoured to take on this role and continuing to work with colleagues to deliver The Boat Race on behalf of Oxford and Cambridge. As a young girl in the 1970’s I watched the wonderful coverage of the race on BBC TV, and the drama and sense of occasion inspired me to row. It is a privilege, and a significant responsibility, to be tasked with safeguarding the future of an event which has a unique place in Britain’s sporting and cultural heritage.”

“With a strong TV audience, packed crowds returning to the banks of the Thames and a group of supportive partners, I am fortunate to be appointed at this point in time, but like all events we have our challenges and I’m lucky to be supported by a talented board and team to help meet them. We are more conscious than ever of our responsibility to inspire young people, and increase access to rowing for those who may not otherwise have the opportunity, we will continue to build our work in this area while remaining focused on our primary task of delivering a great event for all our stakeholders.”

Jonny Searle MBE, who led the appointment process and is Chair of the Oxford and Cambridge Rowing Foundation, a fellow board member and former Oxford Blue and Olympic champion, commented: “Siobhan has a valuable combination of skills and experience gained over the years she has been operating within rowing both as a former rower and through a number of leadership roles within rowing organisations. More than that, though, she has a tremendous passion for the event and a positive outlook which is infectious, and all put together she’s very well equipped for the role. I’m sure I speak for the whole Board in looking forward to working with Siobhan in our ambition to continue delivering a unique event that entertains and inspires so many people.”

The Boat Race is approaching the centenary of the first Women’s Boat Race in 1927 and the bicentenary of the first Men’s Boat Race in 1829. The Boat Race 2024 will take place on Saturday, 30 March 2024 from Putney to Mortlake with activities starting at 12 noon. The 78th Women’s Race starts at 14:46 and the 169th Men’s Boat Race at 15:46.