The Royal Ocean Racing Club (RORC) has confirmed that Ben Willows will join the organisation in April 2026 as sporting director, a newly established senior position within the club structure.
RORC is a prestigious British yacht club founded in 1925 that organises several high-profile offshore events, including the Fastnet Race.
The sporting director role involves oversight of several operational areas, including racing, rating systems, partnerships, external relations and participation initiatives, including the Griffin Offshore pathway youth programme.
Willows has previously held leadership roles in sailing organisations. He served as CEO of UKSA and later CEO of RS Sailing. Alongside administrative roles, he has competed in both inshore and offshore sailing. His racing experience includes several editions of the Rolex Fastnet Race and multiple RORC events. He has also competed in RS Sailing classes on UK and European circuits and sailed National 12 boats as part of the GBR Youth Squad.
“I am delighted to be joining the Royal Ocean Racing Club as Sporting Director and to have the opportunity to contribute to the next chapter of such an iconic organisation,” says Willows. “My passion is sailing; I have raced in the club’s flagship events and experienced firsthand the unique spirit that RORC brings to the sport. Working with the RORC team, our members and partners, I look forward to enhancing and ensuring we continue to lead the way in offshore and inshore sailing.”
RORC commodore Deb Fish adds: “We are delighted to welcome Ben Willows as our first sporting director. The new role encompasses racing, rating, partnerships, external relationships and participation, including our very successful youth initiative, the Griffin Offshore pathway.
“Ben brings proven leadership experience and strong connections across the sailing community from his previous roles, and he is a keen sailor with considerable offshore experience. I am confident that the new roles will position RORC well for the challenges of its second century, with the new sporting director able to focus on all things sailing, and a new general manager able to focus on membership, our clubhouses, shoreside activities and running the business.”
The revised management structure separates sailing operations from broader administrative responsibilities. Under the new arrangement, the sporting director will focus on racing activity and related programmes, while the general manager will oversee membership, club facilities, shoreside activities and day-to-day business operations.
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