Steve stepping down as CEO
Dear members and friends,
I regret to inform you that, after more than 10 years with Fulham Reach, Steve O’Connor has decided to step down as chief executive of the charity in order to pursue a new opportunity.
I and the rest of the Trustees are enormously grateful to Steve for the decade of pioneering work he has put into building Fulham Reach and in bringing the sport to young people in West London under our vision of making rowing accessible to all. Teaching over a thousand teenagers a year to row on the Thames as part of our local state schools programme has been a first in the UK. In addition, the club now boasts a vibrant squad of 300 junior and adult members, a junior community programme for holiday rowing with disadvantaged children, and an indoor rowing programme in HM Prisons.
Steve himself says,
“Fulham Reach is a hugely special place and it’s been an absolute privilege to be able to lead from the beginning back in 2013. I’ve truly loved being able to play my small part in opening access to the Thames and our great sport and I can’t wait to see what bigger and better things FRBC goes onto from here. We have a fantastic team in place which make FRBC what it is today and over the coming months I’ll be helping the Board to recruit a CEO. I have a million people to thank, and I’ll make sure to try to get round them all before my time is up!”
Steve leaves the club with a strong and experienced management team, supported by over 20 professional coaches. While very sad that Steve is leaving, the board and I know that this unique rowing club has great opportunities ahead to expand our outreach and impact considerably further, and we are excited by opportunities that the future holds.
The process for recruiting a new CEO will start with immediate effect. Steve will continue in post for a period to support an orderly transition.
I will provide a further update in due course but in the meantime I know you will all join me in thanking Steve and in wishing him well with his next endeavour.
David FitzHerbert
Chairman
