Along with finance expert John Foster, who will become treasurer of BSS, and former Virgin Direct chief executive Mark Lund, the new senior independent director, Brewer (pictured top) brings "a wealth of experience to the leadership of an organisation striving to put elite British snowsport athletes on the podiums of top international events including World cup and Olympic competitions", a statement read.

Brewer, who was "honoured and delighted" to take over the position vacated by Colin Moynihan in the autumn of last year, took the British handball teams to their first ever Olympic Games at London 2012 before stepping down from his role at the British Handball Association (BHA) at the end of last year.

As well as being a passionate skier, he will combine his new role as chair of BSS with his post as director of sport and head of the sport and exercise science department at the University of Bedfordshire.

"I am indebted to the tremendous hard work of my predecessor as chair, Lord Colin Moynihan, and the interim chair Robin Kellen," said Brewer, who has nearly 30 years of sport science and administration experience.

"I thoroughly enjoyed my time as chair of the BHA, and was sad to step down at the end of 2012, so when offered this new role and challenge, I was delighted to accept.

"There are some similarities between handball and skiing, with many of the competitors based overseas, and the need to manage finances tightly and sensibly.

"However, the four BSS disciplines of alpine, nordic, freestyle and snowboard have the chance to compete for almost half of the medals on offer at the 2014 Olympic Games in Sochi, and I believe that we have some genuine medal prospects, along with the chance to continuously develop and excel at world and European level on a regular basis.

"I am excited about the challenges ahead, and look forward to chairing the BSS for many years to come."


"We are delighted that we have been able to attract three very capable people to join our board," David Edwards, chief executive of BSS, said.

"The calibre of applicants for these posts was high and the selection panel had a tough job but were unanimous in selecting John, John and Mark for the powerful combination of skills that they will add to our Board processes.

"Raising money and managing it appropriately is obviously very high on our agenda but we will now be better equipped for many of the aspects of good corporate governance that one should expect from a British sports national governing body."

BSS is backed by more than £2 million ($3.14 million/€2.31 million) raised in private-sector sponsorship and donations as it seeks success at the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics.

Earlier this week it announced a major new sponsorship deal with Delancey, the firm behind the joint investment to lead the legacy of the London 2012 Olympic Village, to become its principal sponsor.

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


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