British Paralympic Association Confirm Leadership Team for Rio 2016

The British Paralympic Association (BPA) today announced that the ParalympicsGB leadership team used successfully at London 2012 and Sochi 2014 will be implemented once more for Rio 2016.

Led by President and Head of Delegation Tim Reddish, prostate the BPA’s Director of Sport, Penny Briscoe has been named as the team’s Chef de Mission and CEO Tim Hollingsworth as Secretary General.

As Chef de Mission, Briscoe will be responsible for all aspects of the ParalympicsGB team in the build-up to and during the Rio Paralympic Games. She will drive the BPA’s mission to be the best prepared team and to support athletes to produce world’s best performances.

Meanwhile Hollingsworth will once again take up the position of Secretary General, which he held at both London 2012 and Sochi 2014, and which is responsible for all aspects of ParalympicsGB’s presence at the Games off the field of play, including partner support, stakeholder and international relations.

The team will come together under BPA Chairman and former Paralympic medallist Tim Reddish OBE, who will be the President and Head of Delegation for ParalympicsGB in Rio.

Tim Hollingsworth said: “I am delighted today to be able to announce Penny Briscoe as Chef de Mission for ParalympicsGB at Rio 2016, alongside other key members of the senior leadership team. 

“Penny has the perfect experience, expertise and passion for the role and she will bring all of this to bear over the coming two years.  We are lucky to have her on our team.

“The separation again of leadership for Rio is also the right approach.

“In both London 2012 and earlier this year in Sochi, we saw the benefit of dividing our expertise between two senior management teams: one of which is highly sport-focussed, athlete-centred work and is responsible for delivering on our mission on the field of play and one of which is responsible for ensuring that the BPA remains a leading nation in the Paralympic movement.

“The two areas are quite different and our experience at the last two Games demonstrates that it is absolutely right to keep them separate.”

On her appointment, Briscoe said: “It is an absolute honour to take up the position of Chef de Mission for ParalympicsGB at Rio 2016.

“Rio will be a very different Games from London with around 80% of our Team competing at their first ‘away Games’ but I am confident that we are preparing well for both the challenges and opportunities.

“We have experience in key roles and talent throughout the team; an exciting blend which will, I believe, will provide the most cohesive support framework ever for ParalympicsGB.

“I am delighted to be offered the opportunity to lead the team in Rio and will be working hard alongside my colleagues to ensure we are best prepared to thrive in the Games environment.”