Cambridge University Boat Club Blue Siobhan Cassidy appointed The Boat Race Company Limited chair on a permanent basis

The Boat Race Company Limited (BRCL), who are responsible for delivering the Boat Race each year, has announced the formal appointment of Siobhan Cassidy as chair of the board.

Cassidy has held several leadership positions within rowing, notably being both vice-chair and chair of Cambridge University Women’s Boat Club (CUWBC), for whom she won a Blue in 1995 whilst a graduate at Homerton College.

She 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. Cassidy 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, Cassidy also represented Great Britain at Under-23 level, winning a bronze medal at the World Student Games.

She said: “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 1970s 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.”