Rowing coach is museum director

A ROWING coach from Henley has been appointed new director of the River & Rowing Museum.

Steve O’Connor, 41, will take up the role when the museum in Mill Meadows re-opens in April.

He will succeed interim director Paul Owen.

Mr O’Connor is the chief executive of Fulham Reach Boat Club, which he founded in 2013 and has helped thousands of teenagers from deprived backgrounds to unlock their potential and learn valuable life skills through rowing.

He has also spent time as a business consultant for Scottish Rowing, where he constructed and executed the organisation’s commercial strategy.

The former rower, who competed at Henley Royal Regatta, lives in Ancastle Green with his wife Sarah, whom he met at the regatta in 2008, and their sons
William, seven, and Benjamin, four.

He will be working with the museum trustees and staff to plan its future, including its forthcoming 25th anniversary.

Mr O’Connor said: “I am delighted to be taking up the post of director at the museum at what is a truly exciting time.

“As a resident of Henley, I know the museum well and I have missed visiting it with my family over the winter months.

“I am immensely proud that I can now play a part in developing its next phase of growth. I am confident that I can bring an important level of credibility across all stakeholders and I am hugely excited at the prospect of helping the River & Rowing Museum into the future.”

David Worthington, chairman of trustees, said: “We are thrilled to welcome Steve to the role. He will be a strong asset to the museum and to the town.

“He inherits the unique opportunity to rearticulate the museum’s offering in its 25th year and to help shape the overall organisation.

“He will pick up from the excellent work carried out by the team in Henley and has the full support from a strong board, who are committed to the museum’s future.”

The musuem is currently closed so the leaking roof can be replaced as part of a £1.4million project designed to save it from the threat of financial ruin.

Last year, the Henley Standard revealed that the museum recorded an operating loss of more than £510,000 in the year to the end of March 2022.