London 2017 Announce Board Restructure to Deliver World Athletics Championships

A new independent board is to lead London’s delivery of the International Athletics Association Federation (IAAF) 2017 World Athletics Championships.

London 2017 Ltd has agreed a number of governance changes following a thorough review to ensure a clear separation of the day-to-day delivery led by UK Athletics to a more independent board with strategic direction and oversight of the championships.

In line with its agreements with the IAAF, a new co-Chair is to be appointed by the Greater London Authority (GLA) alongside Ed Warner to oversee the Championships.

London 2017 Ltd will no longer retain a CEO role on the Board, with Niels de Vos taking on the position of Championships Director for the event, accountable to the London 2017 Board for UK Athletics’ delivery.

The announcement comes following a number of resignations over the past week of senior members of the organising committee, including managing director Sally Bolton.

UK Athletics Chairman Ed Warner said: “We are pleased that our discussions outlining the requirements for event delivery have been completed. The next 18 months will be exciting times for UK Athletics in organising two World Championships on behalf of London 2017 under the leadership of our CEO Niels de Vos.

"The appointment of a co-Chair will assist greatly in ensuring that we can focus effectively on the task in hand.”

Jeff Jacobs, of the Greater London Authority and London 2017 Ltd board member, said: “The changes being made reflect our ongoing desire to ensure that the best possible governance structure is in place for the championships, with independence and accountability at its heart.

"Having agreed the new arrangements today, we shall all now be focusing on delivering a fantastic event in London in 2017.”