British Fencing is a very small National Governing Body. A significant number of the team work part-time, although you will find many of them volunteering at our major events at the weekends.

If you want to contact us with a query we recommend using the forms on our Contact Us page.

For information on the organisational structure please see the BF Organisational Chart.

Chief Executive Officer (CEO): Georgina Usher

Finance

• Finance Director: Helen Hewson
• Financial Controller: Gabriella James
• Finance Officer: Natalie Worgan
• (Note: for queries relating to invoicing and payments please email finance@britishfencing.com)

Participation (Membership, Events & Social Impact)

• Participation Director (includes Equality & Inclusion): Virginia Bailey
• Lead Safeguarding Officer (PT): Liz Behnke
• Customer Services Manager (PT): Sophia Jones
• Events & Membership Manager: Evie Millar
• Membership Officer: Samantha Hepple
• Inclusion Officer (Disability): Rick Rodgers

Media & Communications

• Head of Media and Communications (PT): Sophie DeVooght
• Content Coordinator: Heidi Januszewski
• Content Administrator: Rosie McInally

Partnership Development

• Head of Licensing: Harry Brown
• Commercial Manager: Vacant
• Commercial Officer: Anna Ronzino
• Commercial Administrator: Giulia Enright

Coaching & Workforce

• Head of Performance Coaching and Coaching Development (PT): Dusty Miller
• Coaching & Workforce Development Manager: Chris Turner
• Project Officer – Workforce Development: Lorraine Rose (includes referee registration)

GBR Pathway (the Athlete Development Programme ADP plus GBR representation)

• Head of Talent Development: Sarah Jones
• Performance Athlete Support Coordinator: Grace Batey
• Project Officer (DiSE, GBR Pathway Camps): Neil Brown
• Project Officer (p/t) GBR Weapon Support (IADP): Fran Whalley
• Project Officer (p/t) GBR Weapon Support (IADP): Ben Peggs
• Project Officer (p/t) Talent Development (Para): Nat Lewis

• Pathway Operations and Logistics Manager:  Ian Lichfield
• GBR Administrator: Denise Johnson
• GBR Administrator: Carlene Patrick
• GBR Administrator (Para Fencing): Niall Harman

• Olympic Team Manager: Pat Aiyenuro

Note: Weapon Lead Responsibilities are now being delivered by the new Weapon Groups

Staff Bios

Georgina Usher – CEO

Since joining British Fencing in April 2014, Georgina Usher has successfully implemented a new insight-led strategic approach to increasing participation in fencing and has restructured the organisation to improve delivery of this strategy.

Before this, Georgina was the Operational Director CIO Connect, an independent advisory and consulting organisation dedicated solely to the CIO, their leadership teams and their agenda. As part of this, she oversaw a successful initiative to increase membership retention through customer focussed initiatives, whilst re-structuring the cost-base to deliver financial sustainability.

Prior to CIO Connect, Georgina worked as a project manager, strategist and business consultant for companies including Legal & General and Accenture.

Georgina had a successful fencing career, representing GB at many European and World Championships and spending several seasons ranked in the World Top 16. She holds 10 individual Senior National Championship titles, and has won several Commonwealth medals (including Gold in 2014). She currently competes on the veteran circuit where she is three-times 40+ European Champion and two time 50+ World Champion.

Georgina is also a member of the FIE Women in Fencing Council and a Board Director of the British Olympic Association.

In the Queen’s Birthday Honours List 2022 Georgina Usher was awarded an MBE for services to fencing.