Jack Buckner Named CEO of British Swimming

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Photo Courtesy: British Swimming

British swimming has announced that Jack Buckner, current CEO of British Triathlon and former Olympic distance runner, will be the next CEO of the organization.

British Swimming expects Buckner to carry on and progress the success created by current CEO David Sparkes through this 2020 Olympic Cycle. The news comes just a few months after the announcement that British Swimming will have a funding boost headed into Tokyo.

According to British Swimming, Sparkes retires from this position at the end of June, so Buckner will then take on the CEO role and provide strategic leadership to the position. His previous role as the Strategic Lead for National Governing Bodies and Market Development for Sport England will help him be successful in this aspect of the position.

“I am delighted and honoured to be appointed CEO of British Swimming. The role presents great opportunities and challenges and I’m excited to be part of this high-performing Olympic and Paralympic sport. I have really enjoyed my time at British Triathlon and look forward to watching the sport’s continued progression in the years ahead,” Buckner said. 

One of the greatest challenges Buckner will see is repeating the UK’s success at the 2016 Rio Olympic and Paralympic Games. After a slightly disappointing showing on their home turf in 2012, the team claimed one gold and five silver medals at the Games in Rio. Lead by an Adam Peaty World Record, the Games were their best in Olympic history.

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Photo Courtesy: David E. Klutho-USA TODAY Sports

While these results were impressive to many, it is also important to note the success of British Paraswimming in Rio. Under the contributions of Sparkes, Great Britain earned 15 bronze medals, 16 silvers and and 16 gold. Twenty-five swimmers contribted to the medal tally.

Sep 5, 2012; London, United Kingdom; Oliver Hynd (GBR) displays his gold medal after the medal ceremony for the men's 200m IM - SM8 during the London 2012 Paralympic Games at Aquatics Centre. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Fielding-USA TODAY Sports

Photo Courtesy: Andrew Fielding- USA TODAY Sports

But Buckner does not lack experience in progressing an elite organization, nor does he lack Olympic and International experience of his own. Before becoming the CEO of British Triathlon in 2014, he competed in the Seoul and Barcelona Olympic Games for running. Between his athletic career and becoming a CEO, Buckner had an interesting professional path.

He spent 10 years working for Adidas in a range of management roles in the UK, Germany and the USA. He served as the Marketing Director for Adidas in Portland, Orgeon, a known track and field hub in the USA.

He then tried his hand at owning an apple orchard in New Zealand, but soon returned to the UK and lead the project implementation of the Foster project in athletics that established England Athletics. Buckner then joined Sport England managing the NGB team for 5 years.

While his experience appears beneficial, he will be succeeding a 23-year term of Sparkes. Sparkes has been one of the most influential people to British Swimming over these years, and will continue to help promote swimming. He combined modern business efforts with classic commercial approaches to help British Swimming become the powerhouse swimming organization it is today.

“I have enjoyed my time with British Swimming and we have seen many changes and great performances. I welcome Jack to British Swimming. He will find himself leading a great team of people who in turn have some fantastic athletes. I am sure under Jack’s leadership we will see British Swimming move on to even greater success. I shall now, as a volunteer where I started from in 1994, take an interest in our future as we prepare for Tokyo and future challenges,” Sparkes said. 

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