New CEO appointed by Swimming New Zealand

Accomplished Australian sports administrator Christian Renford has been appointed to the role of Chief Executive of Swimming New Zealand, the national body responsible for competitive swimming.

He fills a role that has been vacant since the resignation of the previous Chief Executive last May. In the meantime, Swimming New Zealand has undergone a whole of sport review by an independent panel.

Mr Renford has been the Chief Executive of Rowing New South Wales for the past four years following three years in a similar role for Rowing Queensland. He has a background in swimming and was formerly the national surf sports manager at Surf Life Saving Australia.

He was a strong leader in his current role, as the public face of rowing in New South Wales, guiding the strategic direction and providing leadership to the sport.

“Our sport has faced issues which were addressed in the whole of sport review, the majority of the recommendations of which have now been implemented,” said Swimming New Zealand Chair Dr Brent Layton.

“We have adopted a new constitution, we have buy-in from our regions, and we have in place a new Board, a new Chair and a new High Performance Director. We have now appointed a new Chief Executive from a strong field of nearly forty candidates.

“We believe swimming is well on the way towards the independent review’s vision for the future of the sport in this country. Christian has displayed strong leadership and a clear focus in terms of organisational direction in his roles, and that is what the Board believe is required.

“Christian was successful in achieving a real commitment from the membership and stakeholders to forge a pathway forward in his roles with rowing.

“It is this skillset that the Board are looking for to take swimming forward across all parts of the operation.”

Mr Renford will take up the position in early March.