Report of Interim Chair

Building on foundations laid over many years, British Powerlifting currently has three focus areas:

British Competitions

We have received strong positive feedback from athletes, coaches and volunteers alike from the competitions completed in 2025/26.

Of particular note were the recent success of the Masters (Oriam), BUCS (Nottingham Trent University), Sub Juniors and Juniors (University of Surrey), which followed on from the well-organised bench competition, and our equipped competition.

These all followed the great delivery of the Open at the NEC.

Particular recognition should go to Adam Reilly and the broader competitions team for the significant amount of work they have put in.

Looking forward, through the work of Kim Cowell, we have achieved an integrated timetable for 2027 and are currently finalising the relevant venues. In due course, we will issue the timetable for 2028 to provide greater visibility earlier.

International Teams

Our athletes and their support teams have achieved highly creditable results throughout the international event calendar, often in changing circumstances in the build-up or on the day due to factors outside their control.

There is more to do to maintain and further maximise our potential across all categories, particularly within our coaching infrastructure, but you can be particularly proud of some outstanding athlete performances.

We want to improve the administration of these events and are actively considering future hosting possibilities, either directly or in support of a Home Nation.

Governance

We have sought to continue improving governance as we look to grow our accreditation levels and provide the standards of governance that members would rightly anticipate.

With the support of our Home Nations representatives, your Board has met regularly to consider feedback on key issues, including financial performance, anti-doping, coach recruitment, disciplinary outcomes and more.

We have introduced a new coaching licence to provide greater safety and better outcomes in competitive environments, and we are listening to feedback as we progress this initiative.

We have increased communication by running open forums on new rules, equipped lifting—which we are keen to promote even further—and new positions. Your CEO has also provided direct updates through the Top Up Tuesday newsletter.

We are grateful to those serving on our new Audit Committee, who have taken the review of our financial position to a creditable level.

We look forward to 2026/27 with a desire to continue progressing on your behalf.

Fraser Montgomery