British Swimming announce Ash Cox as Interim Chief Executive
British Swimming has announced that Ash Cox will become the organisation’s Interim CEO following the departure of Jack Buckner, expected in June this year.
Cox, who is the current Director of Legal and Governance for British Swimming and has been at the organisation since 2014, will take over the chief executive role on a temporary basis as Buckner departs to become the new CEO at UK Athletics.
Cox will begin a transition period as Interim CEO on 16th May, working with Buckner to oversee the final weeks of his tenure before Jack leaves the organisation on 30th June.
While the search for a new, permanent CEO of British Swimming progresses, Cox will oversee the organisational running of the National Governing Body throughout a busy summer that features World Aquatics Championships, World Para-Swimming Championships, Commonwealth Games, European Championships and multiple junior international events.
He will work with the British Swimming board and Interim Chairman Adele Stach-Kevitz throughout this process.
Speaking about the interim appointment, Stach-Kevitz said: “It is fantastic to have Ash on board as Interim CEO during this transition period for British Swimming. With over 20 years’ experience in the sports sector, he has a wealth of knowledge and expertise and a fantastic insight about the organisation and our sports, strong relationships across domestic and international aquatics communities and maintains an athlete-centred approach throughout.
“I am excited to be working with Ash in this new capacity as we build towards the long-term future of British Swimming – and we are also grateful to Jack for his ongoing support during this transition period, as his highly successful period as our CEO begins drawing to a close.”
On his appointment, Ash Cox said: “I am delighted to be given the opportunity to play such a pivotal role during this transition period for British Swimming and I am looking forward to working with the Board to continue to deliver its strong strategy and vision.”
Tracey McCillen, CEO UK Sports Association said “I wish Ash every success in the new role and look forward to seeing how he will drive opportunities for athletes with intellectual impairment through the Paralympics and the Virtus Global Games.
McCillen continues ”I wish Jack Buckner the very best of luck in his new endeavour. Athletics is another of the major sports, alongside swimming, for athletes with intellectual impairment. I am keen to see how the experiences so far will help Jack to make real changes in the sport and open up more opportunities for athletes with intellectual impairment across the pathway, to the Paralympics and the Virtus Global Games.”
The Paralympic Pathway provides events for athletes with intellectual impairment (S/SB14 class) in 200 freestyle; 100 backstroke; 100 breaststroke; 100 butterfly; 200 Individual Medley and 4 x 100m freestyle relay.
The Virtus Global Games provides events for athletes with intellectual impairment (Class II1 S/SB14) across the full events programme and also includes some events for class II2 athletes with additional significant impairment and class II3, for athletes with high functioning autism on a trial basis.
Story and photo courtesy of British Swimming