The British Olympic Association (BOA) today welcomes two new members to the Board as National Governing Body representatives following an election of the National Olympic Committee (NOC).
Sarah Powell, CEO of British Gymnastics, and James Hope-Gill, CEO of Skateboard GB, have been newly elected to the Board of the BOA as NGB representatives, alongside the re-elected Jack Buckner, CEO of British Athletics and two-time Olympian.
Powell joined British Gymnastics in October 2021 from Sport Wales, where she had been the CEO since 2012. Alongside her professional career, Powell played international hockey, captaining Wales and winning over 70 senior caps. Hope-Gill has been at the helm of Skateboard GB since 2017, driving the growth of the sport in the UK up to and beyond its Olympic debut at Tokyo 2020. Prior to skateboarding, he spent twenty years working in a variety of roles in football. Hope-Gill and Powell replace the outgoing Georgina Usher (fencing) and Bill James (triathlon).
Commenting on the latest appointments, BOA Chair Baroness Katherine Grainger, said: “I’m delighted to welcome Sarah and James to the Board and to have Jack continue for a second term. Ensuring our member sports, and the athletes they support, are represented at the highest level is essential to the BOA’s mission and long-term success. Their collective expertise will be invaluable as we prepare for Milano Cortina 2026 and begin to shape our plans for LA28, and I look forward to the knowledge and insights they will each bring to the Board.
“I would also like to extend my sincere thanks to Georgina Usher and Bill James for their commitment and valued contributions throughout their tenures.”
Sarah Powell said: “I am honoured and humbled to have been selected alongside Jack and James as NGB representatives to the BOA Board by my peers. I look forward to working with Baroness Katherine Grainger, fellow Board members, and the new CEO, to build on the exceptional success of Team GB and to represent the collective of NGBs to ensure that together, we secure a bright future for Olympic sport in Great Britain.”
James Hope-Gill said: “I'm incredibly honoured, privileged and proud to have been elected as an NGB representative on the Board of the BOA. It's a huge responsibility to represent the member sports on the Board and I'm relishing the opportunity.”
Jack Buckner said: “It’s a real privilege to serve a second term on the BOA Board representing NGBs. The BOA and Team GB are a source of great pride to the nation and I look forward to supporting our athletes and NGBs as we prepare for the Games ahead.”