Swimming New Zealand elected businessman BRUCE COTTERILL as its new board chair. Cotterill has led major companies including "real estate group Colliers, Canterbury International and Yellow Pages." He assumes the position as swimming looks to rebound from "bad headlines in recent years with accusations of poor administration and a revolving door of national coaches." Current board member GEOFF BROWN has been "elected deputy chair," while SIMON PERRY and ANNA TOOTILL are "new to the board" (STUFF, 9/30). ... The Amateur Swimming Association appointed current Carlsberg Global Marketing Dir MIKE THOMPSON to lead the organization's marketing, communications and sponsorship teams. Thompson's role as CMO will be to build on the popularity of swimming and promote the sport to new and existing swimmers. Thompson has worked with a range of leading commercial and sport brands including the Premier League, FA, the Tour of Britain Cycling and ATP Tennis (Swimming). ... Rwanda National Olympic & Sports Committee fired Programme Manager & Exec Dir SERGE MWAMBALI, for "allegedly failing to fulfill his responsibilities, according to the dismissal letter." Among the key accusations against him is that he "failed to secure visas on time for four athletes," which led to Rwanda not participating in the 55th Commonwealth Youth Games held on Sept. 5-12 in Samoa (NEW TIMES, 10/1). ... UFC announced the appointment of JAMES ELLIOTT as VP & GM of Europe, Middle East and Africa. Elliott will lead UFC's European business and oversee the growth of the company across the region by expanding the number of live events and securing key broadcast partnerships. Elliott joined UFC in '13 as senior director of content and was instrumental in the growth of the company's broadcast and TV deals throughout Europe. Prior to joining UFC, Elliott worked for a number of leading global sports agencies in addition to Puma and the FA (UFC). ... EPL side West Bromwich Albion confirmed the appointment of PETER BAND as the club's new finance director. The move sees Band step up from his role as finance officer, which he has occupied for the last eight and a half years. Albion's board opted for an "in-house" appointment after surveying 150 applications and interviewing 10 candidates (WBA).
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