Dr Anna Watkins, MBE
Double Olympic medallist & UK Sport leader
Dr Anna Watkins, MBE, joins the Stewards as a celebrated former international rower and respected voice in athlete welfare and leadership. A double Olympic medallist – Bronze in Beijing 2008 and Gold in London 2012 – Anna also claimed four World Championship medals and twice earned the title of World Rowing Women’s Crew of the Year.
Born and raised in Leek, Staffordshire, Anna studied Natural Sciences at Newnham College, Cambridge, before completing a PhD in Applied Mathematics at the University of Reading.
Alongside her competitive successes, she was identified early as a World Class Start athlete and made her international debut in 2004, winning U23 gold. She became one of Britain’s most successful scullers, achieving an unbeaten run with Katherine Grainger in the build-up to London 2012.
Following retirement, Anna moved into leadership and performance innovation. In 2022, she became CEO of the British Elite Athletes’ Association, championing athlete voice and welfare across sports, and also joined the UK Sports Institute as a Non-Executive Director – a role she continues today.
Anna currently lives in the Cotswolds with her husband Oli and their two sons, William and Richard
Anna's Rowing History
- 2004
- U23 WRC W4- Gold
- U23 WRC W2- Gold
- 2005
- WRC W8+ 5th
- 2006
- WRC W2x 4th
- 2007
- WRC W2x Bronze
- 2008
- Olympic Games W2x Bronze
- 2009
- WRC 2x Silver
- 2010
- WRC 2x Gold
- 2011
- WRC 2x Gold
- 2012
- Olympic Games W2x Gold
- 2004
- Remenham Challenge Cup – Winner
- 2010
- Princess Grace Challenge Cup – Winner
Matt Evans
Sports Manager, LA28 Olympic & Paralympic Games
Matt Evans is an accomplished international sports and events professional who is currently a Sport Manager for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games (LA28), responsible for Rowing, Coastal Rowing, and Para Rowing. He was educated, and learned to row, at Durham School then the University of Hull where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Science. Matt has built an impressive career shaped by his deep passion for rowing and sport management. He has volunteered at Henley Royal Regatta since 2015, contributing as a Race Reporter, Programme Proof-reader, and as part of the Race Control team, reflecting his ongoing commitment to the sport at all levels.
Matt has developed a reputation as someone who values an integrated approach to the planning and delivery of events, underpinned by a strong understanding of project management principles, and who consistently strives to put key stakeholders, especially athletes, at the centre of every event experience. His extensive experience as a Sport & Events Manager includes complex operational and strategic projects across international multi-sport environments. Before joining LA28, Matt held a range of senior roles at World Rowing (FISA), including as Senior Events Manager and maternity cover for the Head of Sport and Events, where he oversaw global rowing events and led major initiatives, such as development of new disciplines and event formats, and developing World Rowing’s events in China. He was also the Competition Manager for the Glasgow 2018 European Championships, earning recognition as one of the youngest ever recipients of the European Rowing Medal of Honour for his outstanding contribution to the event.
Earlier in his career, Matt held elected leadership roles at the University of Hull, including President of the Students’ Union and Vice-Chair of the Board of Trustees , while also serving as Senior Women’s Rowing Coach at Hull University Boat Club and Assistant Team Manager of the Great Britain Universities Rowing Team in 2016 and 2017 as a volunteer. He has contributed to numerous British Rowing event organising committees and served as Secretary of the British Rowing Young Persons Advisory Panel. A full member of Leander Club, Matt brings a rare blend of technical expertise, operational leadership, and athlete-centred philosophy that has defined his approach throughout his career in sport.
Matt currently lives in Los Angeles, USA.
