02 March 2016

UK Athletics has today announced the appointment of a new Non-Executive Director who will join with immediate effect.

David Bedford OBE joins the board of UK Athletics in a Non-Executive capacity following an open recruitment process. His appointment follows the departure of outgoing director Jason Gardener, who has stepped down from the board in order to take up the role of President of UK Athletics leading the UK Members Council.

Bedford, who held the 10,000m world record from 1973-1977 as well as the British 3000m steeplechase and 5000m records has spent much of his life involved in athletics. In his post-competitive career he is perhaps best known for his role as race director of the London Marathon until 2012 and he serves in a number of roles – notably Chairing the IAAF Road running commission and, until 2015, sitting on the IAAF Cross Country committee.

Bedford said:

“I am excited to be re-joining UK Athletics at this later stage of my life. I feel that the experience I have gained through my work at the London Marathon and the IAAF will help me to contribute to our sport at this both difficult and exciting time.”

Ed Warner, Chairman of UKA said:

“I am delighted to welcome David Bedford as UKA’s new non-executive board director. David has a wealth of competitive, administrative and leadership experience across the sport.

“I’m sure his contribution will prove invaluable to the development of British Athletics over the coming years.”