Greg Searle MBE starts work as British Rowing's Director of Performance on 23 October, taking charge of the World Class Programme and the GB Rowing Team at Caversham with less than two years to go before Los Angeles 2028.
Olympian, umpire, consultant
Four-time Olympian Searle, 54, won gold at Barcelona 1992 and bronze at Atlanta 1996 and London 2012, and also sailed in the America's Cup. He has spent 14 years building and leading his own consulting business, working with organisations including the NHS, the FA and Access Sport. He has also held senior consulting and partner roles at Lane4, a consultancy group founded by Olympic champion swimmer Adrian Moorhouse.
“I first attended a World Rowing event in 1986, and the sport has been part of my life ever since. I’ve experienced it as a spectator, an Olympian, an umpire, and a commentator - and now I’m excited to experience it as a leader and Performance Director,” said Searle.
“We have a talented and committed coaching and performance team who care deeply about helping the athletes to succeed. I’m looking forward to supporting them and creating the conditions for our rowers to thrive as we prepare for the Olympic and Paralympic Games in Los Angeles in less than two years’ time.”
British Rowing CEO Tom Solesbury, 46, is a double Olympian who joined from UK Athletics in March. He said:
“I am delighted to have Greg join as our new Director of Performance. Greg combines first-hand experience of competing at the top of our sport with a clear understanding of what it takes to build and sustain high-performing teams that prioritise people and wellbeing alongside long-term success.”
Searle was appointed by an interview panel comprising Kate Baker, Performance Director at UK Sport; Chris Spice, Performance Director at Aquatics GB; Tom Solesbury, CEO of British Rowing; and Diana Hunter, Chair of British Rowing.
A short run-in
Under Kingsley, GB won eight Olympic rowing medals in Paris, including gold in the women's quad, lightweight women's double and men's eight. The para squad topped the rowing medal table, winning a medal with each of its four boats. UK Sport has awarded Olympic rowing £24.85 million for the LA cycle and para rowing £3.725 million.
Louise Kingsley MBE retired as performance director in August. The Telegraph reported that illness had prevented Kingsley from working since February and that an independent investigation concerned a third-party complaint involving allegations of inappropriate behaviour. British Rowing said that investigation concluded with no further action. Tom Dyson MBE, formerly lead para rowing coach, has been acting performance director since February.
A separate coach suspension first came to light in August. The outcome of that investigation is still pending, as reported on 20 October by Telegraph Sport.
Searle inherits a medal-winning programme with titles to defend and less than two years to prepare for Los Angeles. The task is to build on that success while delivering on British Rowing’s stated commitment to people and wellbeing, with a separate investigation still unresolved.
