British Weight Lifting (BWL) is the UK’s recognised National Governing Body for Weightlifting and Para Powerlifting, responsible for the growth, development and success of both sports at every level.
BWL supports a nationwide network of clubs, gyms, athletes, coaches, officials and volunteers, alongside performance pathways that enable British athletes to compete successfully on the international stage.
In 2026, BWL launched its four-year FIND YOUR STRONG strategy, setting out its ambitions for weightlifting and para powerlifting through to 2030.
Our Vision
Forging a stronger nation through weight lifting.
Where every lift builds strength, confidence, opportunity and connection, helping everybody find their strong.
Our Mission
To strengthen weightlifting and para powerlifting from grassroots to podium by developing the people, places and pathways that create more lifts and better lifters, helping everybody find their strong.
Our Strategic Priorities
BWL’s four-year strategy is centred around three key areas of focus:
Strong Performance: To win, and win well.
Strong Participation: To get more people lifting, more often and for longer.
Strong People & Connections: To unite and build supportive communities.
Together, these priorities provide a clear framework for growing and developing both sports, supporting athletes and participants, strengthening the people and organisations that underpin them, and achieving sustainable success from grassroots participation through to international competition.
Underpinning the strategy are four guiding principles that provide strong foundations for its delivery:
- Governance & Management: Strong governance, clear accountability and integrity, with a commitment to prioritising safe sport.
- Exciting Sport: Creating sports that inspire, succeed and remain relevant.
- Strong Partnerships: Building purpose-led partnerships that deliver shared value.
- Brand & Marketing: Maintaining a consistent brand and clear messaging, supported by channel-appropriate communications and data- and insight-led decision-making.
Role Description
The successful candidate will be appointed by the British Weight Lifting (BWL) Board as a Non-Executive Director, assuming the same legal, governance and collective responsibilities as all other Board members.
As a statutory Director, they will have responsibilities to BWL as a whole, rather than to any particular stakeholder group. In accordance with Article 54 of BWL’s Articles of Association and their statutory duties under the Companies Act 2006, they will be expected to act in the best interests of BWL, exercise independent judgement and fulfil the responsibilities applicable to all Directors.
The role encompasses two equally important elements:
1. Non-Executive Director Responsibilities
As a member of the Board, the successful candidate will contribute to the full breadth of BWL’s activities, including strategic direction, governance, financial oversight, organisational performance, risk management, stakeholder relationships and the long-term development of weightlifting and para powerlifting.
They will provide independent strategic insight, constructive challenge and effective oversight, supporting the delivery of BWL’s corporate objectives and key performance indicators.
2. Athlete Advocacy, Engagement and Welfare
The successful candidate will bring specific expertise and experience in athlete advocacy, engagement and welfare, strengthening the Board’s understanding of athlete perspectives and experiences.
They will help ensure that athlete views are appropriately understood and considered within BWL’s strategy, governance, policies and decision-making, while maintaining their independent judgement and wider responsibilities as a Director.
Upon appointment, the successful candidate will also become Chair of the Athletes’ Committee, overseeing its establishment and supporting its development into an effective and sustainable forum for athlete engagement.
They will subsequently be expected to seek election as an Elected Director, subject to the nomination and election requirements set out in Articles 31.3, 41 and 42 of BWL’s Articles of Association.
While the Director will bring valuable insight into athlete matters, their role is not to represent a predetermined athlete position at Board meetings. Instead, they will ensure that athlete perspectives and experiences are appropriately understood and considered as part of the Board’s wider responsibilities to BWL.
Following the appointment of the Non-Executive Director, BWL will conduct an election for the Athlete Representative in accordance with Article 142. The Athlete Representative will be elected directly by athletes and will serve as Vice-Chair of the Athletes’ Committee, working alongside the Non-Executive Director as Chair.
The wider Athletes’ Committee will then be established through an agreed recruitment and/or election process, with membership reflecting, as far as possible, the breadth and diversity of BWL’s athlete community across weightlifting and para powerlifting.
Once established, the Committee will provide a structured forum for athlete engagement, enabling athletes to contribute to BWL’s strategy, policies and decision-making while strengthening the connection between the athlete community and BWL’s governance arrangements.
Key Responsibilities
The successful candidate will be expected to fulfil the following responsibilities:
Board and Governance Responsibilities
- Act in the best interests of BWL, exercising independent judgement and fulfilling the legal and governance duties of a statutory Director.
- Contribute to BWL’s strategic direction, effective governance and long-term development, including the growth and success of weightlifting and para powerlifting.
- Provide oversight of BWL’s strategy, corporate objectives, key performance indicators, financial position, organisational performance and principal risks.
- Prepare for, attend and actively contribute to Board meetings, the Annual General Meeting and other relevant governance meetings.
- Provide independent strategic insight and constructive challenge, supporting effective, organisation-wide decision-making.
- Serve on Board committees, where appropriate, and fulfil the responsibilities associated with those appointments.
- Maintain an informed understanding of developments within weightlifting, para powerlifting and the wider sporting landscape.
- Participate in agreed Board appraisal, evaluation and development processes.
- Support relevant BWL activities, competitions and events, contributing positively to relationships with members, athletes, clubs, partners, funders and other stakeholders.
Athlete Engagement and Welfare Responsibilities
- Bring expertise in athlete advocacy, engagement and welfare to Board discussions and strategic decision-making.
- Help ensure that athlete perspectives and experiences inform BWL’s strategy, policies, governance and activities.
- Chair the Athletes’ Committee, leading its establishment and supporting its ongoing effectiveness and sustainability.
- Work collaboratively with the elected Athlete Representative and wider Athletes’ Committee to strengthen athlete engagement.
- Promote meaningful engagement across BWL’s diverse athlete community, including weightlifting and para powerlifting, performance and pathway athletes, Masters athletes and recreational participants.
- Support an environment in which athlete welfare, safeguarding, integrity and the duty of care remain central to BWL’s approach.
Person Specification
Candidates should demonstrate a combination of strategic Board-level capability and relevant expertise in athlete advocacy, engagement and welfare.
Governance, Leadership and Strategic Skills
- Strong strategic and analytical skills, with the ability to contribute effectively to Board-level discussions and decision-making.
- Leadership, strategic management or equivalent experience.
- Experience or a sound understanding of good corporate governance and the legal duties and responsibilities of company directors.
- The ability to contribute to organisational, financial, risk and performance oversight.
- Strong communication, interpersonal and stakeholder engagement skills.
- The ability to work collaboratively, exercise independent judgement and provide constructive challenge.
- Personal integrity, sound judgement and a commitment to openness, accountability, inclusivity and high standards of conduct.
- A demonstrable commitment to equality, diversity, inclusion and safeguarding.
Athlete Advocacy, Engagement and Welfare
- Relevant experience in athlete advocacy, engagement or welfare.
- A strong understanding of sporting performance and competition environments.
- Knowledge of safeguarding, integrity and duty of care within sport.
- The ability to listen to, understand and appropriately reflect a diverse range of athlete perspectives and experiences.
- The ability to apply athlete-focused expertise within a strategic leadership and governance environment.
Time Commitment
The role requires attendance at BWL Board meetings, the Annual General Meeting and relevant committee meetings, alongside appropriate preparation and engagement between meetings.
The successful candidate will also chair the Athletes’ Committee and may be invited to serve on other BWL committees or working groups, as well as support relevant activities, competitions and events.
The anticipated commitment includes approximately four Board meetings per year, in addition to the Annual General Meeting and Athletes’ Committee meetings. The frequency of Athletes’ Committee meetings will be determined following the Committee’s establishment.
Term of Appointment
An initial term of four (4) years, with the possibility of reappointment for a further four (4) years, subject to BWL’s relevant governance and appointment requirements.
Expenses
Reasonable expenses incurred in fulfilling the role will be reimbursed in accordance with BWL policy.
Appointment Process
The recruitment process will be overseen by the Nominations Committee, with the successful candidate formally appointed by the BWL Board.
Conflicts of Interest and Due Diligence
The successful candidate will be required to declare any relevant interests and complete appropriate due diligence as part of the appointment process.
Further Information
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
British Weight Lifting (BWL) is committed to fostering an inclusive culture that values and promotes equality, diversity and inclusion. We celebrate the diversity of the communities represented across our sports and welcome applications from all sections of society.
We particularly encourage applications from suitably qualified individuals who can bring a broad range of experiences, perspectives and backgrounds to our Board.
If you require reasonable adjustments or additional support during the application or interview process, please contact ceo@bwl.sport . We will work with you to ensure the recruitment process is as accessible and inclusive as possible.
Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Applications
We recognise the increasing use of Artificial Intelligence (AI), including Generative AI, in preparing job applications.
We are keen to understand each candidate’s individual experience, skills and motivation for applying. While candidates may use AI tools to support their application, all submissions must provide an accurate, authentic and honest reflection of their own qualifications, experience and suitability for the role.
Candidates remain responsible for the accuracy and content of their applications.
This guidance does not restrict the use of assistive or adaptive technologies to support individual accessibility needs.
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