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Greg Searle has been appointed the new Director of Performance at British Rowing, the national governing body announced Tuesday, Oct. 20. Searle starts his new job on Friday after spending the 14 years since winning a bronze medal in the British eight at the 2012 Olympics working as a consultant and broadcaster and volunteering in sport.
“I first attended a World Rowing event in 1986,” said Searle, winner of one gold and two bronze medals at the 1992 Barcelona, 1996 Atlanta, and 2012 London Olympic Games. “The sport has been part of my life ever since. I’ve experienced it as a spectator, an Olympian, an umpire, and a commentator. Now I’m excited to experience it as a leader and performance director.”
For most of this century, Great Britain has been at or near the top of the rowing-medal tables at the Olympics and World Rowing Championships. In 1997, Britain’s National Lottery began providing major funding for British rowing after Steve Redgrave and Matthew Pinsent won Great Britain’s only gold medal—in any sport—at the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games.
In 2012, at their home Olympics, British rowers qualified boats in 13 of the then-14 Olympic events and made the A final in all 13 events, winning nine medals (four gold, two silver, and three bronze).
At the 2024 Paris Olympics, Britain won eight rowing medals (three gold, two silver, three bronze), tying The Netherlands for the most total medals.
“I am delighted to have Greg join as our new director of performance,” said Tom Solesbury, CEO of British Rowing. “Greg combines first-hand experience of competing at the top of our sport with a clear understanding of what it takes to build and sustain high-performing teams that prioritize people and wellbeing alongside long-term success.”
“We have a talented and committed coaching and performance team who care deeply about helping the athletes to succeed,” said Searle. “I’m looking forward to supporting them and creating the conditions for our rowers to thrive as we prepare for the Olympic and Paralympic Games in Los Angeles in less than two years’ time.”
