The Boat Race Company appoints London 2012 Legacy Event Specialist as non-executive director

Ex-Head of Major Events for agency delivering legacy from the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games to help shape long-term event strategy for The Boat Race 

The Boat Race Company has appointed Iain Edmondson as a non-executive director with a remit to support the event strategy as The Boat Race approaches the 100th anniversary of the first Women’s Race in 2027 and the 200th anniversary of the first Men’s Race in 2029. 

Edmondson comes from a career in the major events industry specialising in planning for, implementing and measuring long-term benefits from major sporting and cultural events.

For 14 years, he played a key role in delivering a legacy from the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Initially as a member of the bid team in 2004 and then as the Head of Major Events for London & Partners, the growth agency for London established by the Mayor of London in 2011.

At London & Partners Edmondson’s work included creating the concept for, and leading the development of, RideLondon – the annual world-class cycling event which helped raise over £85m for charity in its first 10 years.

Edmondson also led the foundation of the International Association of Event Hosts, a member body established to help not-for-profit organisations generate the best possible return on investment from major events.

First raced by crews from Oxford and Cambridge University in 1829, The Boat Race is now one of the world’s oldest and most famous amateur sporting events, offering an unrivalled educational experience to the student athletes who take part. The famous Championship Course stretches over 4.25 miles of tidal Thames in West London between Putney and Mortlake.  

Having taken up rowing at the University of Salford in Greater Manchester, Edmondson was later a member of Cambridge University Boat Club while studying for a post-graduate MBA degree, including being a member of a winning crew at Henley Royal Regatta in 2000. He later represented Cambridge in the Veteran’s Boat Race in 2019.

Edmondson recently completed a nine-year term as a Trustee of London Youth Rowing, the charity which provides opportunities for young people from diverse backgrounds to benefit from sport, of which he was Chair from 2022.

Commenting on his appointment, Edmondson said: “As a passionate advocate for sport and culture in one of the world’s top event cities, I’m honoured to join the governing board of the historic event. I look forward to helping The Boat Race retain its status as an iconic fixture in the city’s annual event calendar, as it moves into its next century.” 

Siobhan Cassidy, Chair of The Boat Race Company, added: “We are delighted Iain has agreed to join as our new director. Iain’s experience with London 2012 will obviously be very relevant and valuable for us, given our location. As we approach two key anniversaries for The Boat Race, the range of events and projects Iain has been involved with will bring invaluable expertise in planning for those milestones as well as the next phase of the event’s future. We know Iain will help us cement all the wider benefits for London and the UK that flow from The Boat Race.”

The Boat Race 2025 will take place on Sunday 13th April, with the 79th Women’s Boat Race to be followed shortly after by the 170th Men’s Boat Race. 200,000 spectators are expected to line the banks of the River Thames to watch the event, which is free to attend and broadcast live on the BBC, with millions more watching globally.   

For press enquiries please contact The Boat Race’s PR team – The PHA Group – theboatrace@thephagroup.com