British Orienteering Director Appointed.

At a meeting on Monday evening the Board confirmed the appointment of Bob Dredge (WCH) as a director through to the 2013AGM. The position had become vacant when Mike Forrest resigned as a director with effect from the end of the 2012 AGM.

The Board advertised for a person who has the competence and experience to become a director and act as Treasurer for British Orienteering. The Board was pleased that there were several offers to help British Orienteering resolve this gap in Board capability; all the applicants demonstrated the knowledge and expertise required to fill the role.

After a short appointments process Bob Dredge was offered the position and has accepted. Bob has a wide range of competencies and experiences within his strong CV in addition to which he is a keen orienteer. Bob has recently returned from the World Master Orienteering Championships in Germany where he finished, in his words, ‘in a surprising’ 18^th position in the WMOC A sprint final.

On receiving news of his appointment Bob said "I am genuinely honoured and delighted to be given the chance to put something back into our great sport. I will do all I can to support the Board and staff at British Orienteering and apply whatever knowledge and skills I have to underpin our progress and development in what will, undoubtedly, be a tight financial period."

Bob qualified as an accountant (CIPFA) in 1979 and has worked in financial management his entire professional career including as a NHS finance director for 22 years before moving as a policy advisor to the Department of Health. In 2005 Bob established his own healthcare financial management consultancy firm. Bob has also been a non-executive director of an NHS body for 6 years and acted as chair of its Finance Committee and a member of its Audit Committee.

Whilst Bob’s CV demonstrates his experience and competence to undertake this key role, he believes that a successful Board member must share a passion and commitment to the sport.

Mike Hamilton