Joe Garner, currently Head of HSBC Bank in the UK, has been appointed the Chairman of the recently founded British Triathlon Foundation Trust (BTFT). This non-executive role is aimed at making triathlon accessible to a wider audience of young people.
The Trust was set up in 2010 with the over-arching aim to create opportunities and enhance education and engagement through triathlon. Its aim is to reach out to an audience that has traditionally not been able to experience triathlon because of access or equipment issues, or even social barriers to entry.
Drawing on the inspiration of the London 2012 Olympic Games, which saw Team GB’s Alistair Brownlee winning gold and his brother Jonathan the bronze medal, the Trust wants to use the Games as a springboard to launch fund raising for its first foundation projects.
Speaking about his appointment Joe Garner said:
“As a keen triathlete I feel privileged and excited to have been asked to take on this non-executive role. The London Olympics showed to the world the true value and power of sport. It has brought communities together and has generated a feel good factor that can continue for generations to come.
“We want to encourage projects in England, Scotland and Wales which use sport, and particularly triathlon, to tackle social exclusion and deprivation by increasing engagement and bringing people and communities together through sport.”
