alt London Swimming has appointed Richard Graham (pictured) as its new chairman as it works towards getting more people in more pools and delivering a realistic legacy after 2012.

 

Graham’s involvement within professional sports dates back from the 1980s and includes senior roles within federations, agencies and major event organisers in a variety of countries and disciplines.

 

He said: “I am delighted to be joining London Swimming at a key moment in its development.

 

"We have a great executive team in place and I feel that we are in a position to elevate aquatic sports in London to a new level of popularity.

 

"My experience will hopefully add another resource to help make that happen.”

 

British Swimming, building on the success of last summer’s Olympics, has received two major boosts in 2009.

 

Firstly, British Gas signed the largest sponsorship agreement in the sport’s history and last month The Mayor of London committed his office to support sport in London, with investment in aquatic sports being prominent.

 

Graham said: “When we look at these two developments, and also the proximity of the 2012 Olympics, it is clear that we are faced with a unique opportunity to change the entire outlook of aquatic sports in London.

 

“We can offer all prospective Olympic sponsors the chance to activate their programmes at a local-level in the years up to 2012, in the biggest city in Europe and in a sport which is accessible to all.

 

“Our priority is to get more Londoners into pools and having more facilities available to them.

 

"If we can achieve this on a large scale before 2012 then London Swimming will give the capital a special legacy.

 

"It will be a legacy which is measured in the improved health and well-being of its citizens, as well as in the buildings that are left behind once the Games have moved on.”

 

Graham has worked in a number of sports, including tennis, golf, squash,F1, equestrian, football ice hockey.

 

Colin Brown, the director of London Swimming said, “I am really looking forward to working very closely with Richard in his new role.

 

He has worked previously as the chief executive of the Professional Squash Association (PSA) and now Pandrea Limited, a sponsorship and events consultancy for sports federations and media agencies in Europe and Far East.

 

"He brings a fantastic range of experience to our board and I am sure will help the organisation take the next step forward.”