Mike Farrar appointed Chairman of the ASA Group Board
Mike Farrar CBE has been appointed as the Chairman of the ASA Group Board.
Formally Chief Executive of the NHS Confederation, Farrar brings extensive experience working with organisations across the health landscape. He also has a strong background in sport, having been Vice Chair and Interim Chair of Sport England between 2004-2012.
Currently an independent management consultant working with health and sports clients including NHS Quest and the Football League Trust, he is committed to promoting health innovations and links between health and sport.
Farrar said: “I am a passionate believer in the opportunity that sport, and in particular swimming, offers us to have a healthier, more cohesive and successful nation.
“Having spent my career working within the health service, it’s clear there are lots of synergies between health and sport and that by working closer together we can create a more active nation.
“The role of Chairman of the ASA Group Board offers a fantastic opportunity to realise this, and I am very honoured to have been appointed.”
Adam Paker, ASA Chief Executive, said: “We are incredibly pleased to be welcoming Mike to the ASA. His appointment follows a very rigorous selection process that involved some extremely strong candidates.
“Mike has a strong background in the health service and senior involvement in sports. His healthcare credentials are particularly exciting given the ASA’s wish to promote the immense health benefits of swimming.
“On behalf of the ASA, I would like to welcome Mike to the organisation and I look forward to working him with immediate effect.”
Farrar was awarded the CBE in 2005 for services to the NHS and is an honorary fellow of the Royal College of General Practitioners, the Royal College of Physicians and of the University of Central Lancashire.
He is also a serving trustee on the Football League Trust, chairs the Rugby League Players Welfare Board and the Huddersfield Town/Huddersfield Giants Community Sporting Trust, and in August 2009 was appointed as the National Director for Sport and Health by the Secretary of State for Health.
Farrar’s four year term appointment was made during the ASA’s Annual Council meeting.
