The 45-year-old multi-millionaire is to join the Board of the British Olympic Association (BOA) as a non-executive director, taking his place alongside other newcomers Andy Anson, the chief executive of England's disastrous bid to host the 2018 World Cup, and Denise Jagger, a lawyer at Eversheds. 

"I feel hugely privileged to be joining the BOA Board at such a pivotal time for Olympic sport in this country," said Ross, whose wealth is valued at £430 million ($704 million).

"I share the nation's great sense of excitement about next year's Games and look forward to being able to assist the Board as preparations continue.

"I bring to the role my business experience but perhaps more relevant is the fact that I - as with all of my new colleagues on the Board - am, first and foremost, a great fan and supporter of British sport.

"The 2012 Olympics represent a huge opportunity and I am eager to help ensure that the country does all it can to take advantage of it."

The qualified chartered accountant will chair the BOA Audit Committee with the voluntary position set to run for a two-year term despite having to resign in December 2008 from the London 2012 Board - where he had been London Mayor Boris Johnson's representative - after he had failed to disclose within the necessary timeframe that he had pledged a large proportion of his stake in the company against personal loans.

The scandal also forced him to resign as deputy chairman of the Carphone Warehouse, although he has subsequently gone on to become the chairman of National Express and serve as a director for several other companies. 

Ross has a strong links to sport having also on the Board of the reconstruction of Wembley Stadium and was part of the consortium which rescued Leicester City Football Club fromreceivership, before it was later sold to Milan Mandarić.

He also previously served on the Board of Sport England. 

Ross also worked alongside Anson working for London United, the body which supported the capital's bid to be a host city for the 2018 World Cup.

"I am very pleased that David will bring his exceptional business acumen and audit expertise to the BOA Board at this exciting and crucial time in the history of the organisation," said Colin Moynihan, the chairman of the BOA.

"David has accumulated an excellent range of experience within the 2012 Olympic Project and has a first-rate understanding of the sporting landscape in the UK.

"His strategic vision and audit capabilities will be a great addition to complement the existing skill sets of the Board.

"We look forward to welcoming David to the Board and to receiving his valuable input."

Meanwhile the additions to the BOA Board follow the conclusion of a governance review in 2010 which provided the impetus to recruit independent non-executive directors to the Board to complement the skill sets of the elected members from the National Governing Bodies of Olympic sports.

The individuals were selected following a comprehensive recruitment process which produced over 90 applicants.

Ross joins a BOA Board now consisting of Moynihan, The Princess Royal, David Hemery, Albert Woods, Sir Philip Craven, Adam Pengilly, Sir Craig Reedie, Hugh Chalmers, Martin Dawe, Niels de Vos, Di Ellis, Richard Leman, David Sparkes, John James and Dick Palmer as well as Ross, Anson and Jagger.

Ross will now attend the next BOA Board meeting, which is due to take place on July 13.

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


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