The British Water Ski & Wakeboard Federation Limited is a company limited by guarantee and not having a share capital. As a not for profit association of members all of our income is invested in developing and protecting water skiing across the UK from the grassroots level through to our top athletes.
The Board is appointed at our AGM and is directly accountable to the membership for the performance of the company and is responsible for corporate strategy, the management of the association’s policy development, business and financial planning, as well as safeguarding stakeholder's interests. Various committees support the Board in its function and the board delegates to the Chief Executive Officer the day-to-day and business management control.  The Board consists of a maximum of 8 directors, with 5 elected members, the CEO and 2 independent directors with varying portfolios dependent on project needs. Appointed Board members have a maximum tenure of 9 years before retirement.

View Board Appointment Flow Chart

Diversity

Our Board members come from a variety of backgrounds, have a variety of experience and skills and have a very great understanding of the positive impact sport can make.  They also fully understand the complexity of managing a sports governing body in an increasingly complex world and the need for good governance and to be fit for purpose for the 21^st century. We very much recognise that a diverse board is able to make decisions more effectively by reducing the risk of 'groupthink', paying more attention to managing and controlling risks as well as having a better understanding of the company’s consumers / new markets for our sport.  Our organisation does not aim for “tokenism” in terms of diversity and as such welcomes applicants from all sectors of society and in particular from under represented groups.

We are pleased to have met our key target of having a minimum of 35% female members holding positions on our Board in line with our aim to promote greater diversity.

You can view the BWSW Diversity Statement here. 

The BWSWF Limited Directors

	Martin Winter Chair Martin worked in the City for 45 years as a lawyer with most of his involvement being in private equity transactions.  He continues his 35 year competitive waterski slalom career with a markedly lower degree of success although this is given reasonable balance by the performance of other family members.  He also chairs a small charity focused on the provision of sporting equipment to, and sponsoring sporting events in, communities under challenge.  He strongly believes the sport must operate on data rather than opinions.	Responsible for governance Welfare & Safety Lead Director maswinter@googlemail.com
	Steve Sopp Vice Chair	Responsible for risk management Risk Committee Insurance Working Group
	Michael Lock	Responsible for operating safety and standards Driving & Coaching Development Working Group
	Margaret Curtis Maggie has been an active member of Cotswold Water Ski Club for over 30 years and has been (and still is) the Membership Secretary with some 300+ members - a role she continues to enjoy, and has served on their board since 2011. She is actively involved in promoting all disciplines of waterskiing (and in particular Barefoot), especially by bringing new and young members to the sport as well as supporting Team GB members at her club. Maggie is married with 2 adult daughters - Bibby who has previously been in the GB Barefoot Team and Annie who enjoys slalom and trick.  Maggie and her husband Mark have run two successful businesses over the years, and now in semi-retirement, Maggie enjoys music and other creative hobbies, plus she volunteers for the British Red Cross, as well as entering her fourth year on the BWSW Board.	Responsible for clubs and members
	Andy Phillips Independent Director	Independent advice on all board related matters Finance & Audit Committee
	Anny Wooldridge	EDI Lead Director
Vacant	Senior Independent Director	Independent advice on all board related matters
	Patrick Donovan Chief Executive Officer Patrick has had a long and varied career in the education and sports sector for over 30 years both in the UK and overseas.  He has been the lead driver of four successful BWSW funding strategies which challenged the organisation to think bigger with innovative initiatives in relation to facilities, IT modernisation and ambitious development aims.  His days of slalom skiing through winter are very much a thing of the past now however he still enjoys the occasional summer wakesurf and attending events.	Responsible for strategy, strategic relationships and partners Finance & Audit Committee Risk Committee Insurance Working Group