Maurice Watkins is new chairman of UK swimming

BRITISH Swimming have announced that former Manchester United director Maurice Watkins has been appointed as their new chairman.

Watkins replaces Alistair Gray and will lead the sport through the new four-year cycle into the 2016 Olympics and Paralympics in Rio de Janeiro.

He takes on the role in testing times for the governing body, with the swimmers having claimed just three medals in London in the summer – two below the base target set by UK Sport – with four medals in total across the aquatic disciplines.

In recent weeks, former national performance director Michael Scott has resigned, following the planned departure of former head coach Dennis Pursley.

Watkins, a director of Lancashire County Cricket Club, was on the board of Manchester United for 28 years and is a joint senior partner of law firm Brabners Chaffe Street. He said: “I am delighted to have been asked to become chairman of British Swimming. It is an honour and a privilege. I look forward to working alongside people who are an inspiration in such an outstanding sport.”

Chief executive Daivid Sparkes said: “I am delighted Maurice has agreed to accept the role of chairman of British Swimming. He brings a wealth of experience in sport to the board and his leadership will, I am sure, enable the board to be more focused as we take on the lessons from London.”