News

Posted: 19 August 2020

Scottish Rowing are delighted to announce the recent appointment of Matt Taylor as Commercial Director on the Scottish Rowing Board of Directors. Matt has also been appointed by Scottish Student Sport as Rowing Chair. 

Matt began his rowing career whilst still at school as a cox for Belfast Rowing Club on the River Lagan. After moving to St Andrews to study Financial Economics, Matt continued coxing and led crews to numerous record-breaking results and represented Scotland at Home International Regatta. Matt served as the Saints President and founded Saints Regatta where it became the UK’s largest student run regatta. Matt oversaw the design and implementation of wide-ranging communication, alumni relations and donor strategies and led the Club through a change in coaching staff and an unprecedented season in 2019-2020.

As Commercial Director on the Scottish Rowing Board, Matt will have responsibility for strategic oversight of business, marketing and communications policy.

On his new Board Position, Matt added -

"I am really thrilled to have been appointed to the Board of Directors for Scottish Rowing as Commercial Director. In my time as a student rower in Scotland, I swiftly experienced the supportive and tight knit community that exists within rowing in Scotland, I shall remain focused on ensuring that the members of Scottish Rowing continue to receive the best possible support and service without compromising on the organisation’s long term sustainability and strategic vision.

With the world of sport, at every level, starting to make its return, both the financial viability and sense of community have never been so tested nor been more important and so I look forward to joining a fantastic team, both on the Board as well as the staff of Scottish Rowing, to allow this special sport to continue to develop and grow."

Martin Claxton, President of Scottish Rowing and Chair of the Board said - 

"It’s an absolute delight to have Matt on the Board.  We are keen to ensure that the Board is representative of as wide a cross section of our rowing family as is possible and as well as providing a link to the student community I know that Matt will play a key role in taking forward our marketing and communications strategies."

Matt was bestowed an Honorary Life Member of the University of St Andrews for services to student leadership and sport management and was awarded The Chancellor’s Award for Continued Outstanding Contribution to Sporting Excellence and Scottish Rowing Volunteer of the Year. Since graduating, Matt works as a Teacher in County Durham through the Teach First Leadership Development Programme. He is also a Trustee in the charity Here for Sport and Finance & Fundraising Director for Eden Boat Club.

On his new appointment as the Scottish Student Rowing Chair "Over the past number of seasons, Scottish student rowers have won more on the water, and at bigger events than ever before. We have seen student leaders drive harder for more inclusive and accessible environments than ever before. We have also witnessed as they have founded their own businesses, charities and events, all of which not only develop their founder’s skills and capabilities but also develop the environment of rowing in Scotland. This drive, commitment and dedication within the Scottish student rowing community is omnipresent and so I am so genuinely excited to take on this role, focussing on harnessing and organising this energy on a national level so to ensure that the development and growth of student rowing in Scotland reaches new heights, remain focused and direct as well as retaining the authentic Scottish rowing experience!

Over the past month, we have written a strategy for Scottish Student Rowing in consultation with student leaders; this will outline the scope and work of the Scottish Student Rowing Development Group for the coming year. The application process to be part of this group shall open in the near future so please don’t hesitate to get in touch, should you wish to get involved and contribute to student rowing in Scotland."

We look forward to working with Matt in the upcoming months and years to push the boundaries of student rowing in Scotland. If you wish to contact Matt, please contact scotsturowing@gmail.com.