BF CEO GEORGINA USHER AWARDED MBE

In the Queen’s Birthday Honours List 2022 it has been announced that British Fencing’s CEO Georgina Usher has been awarded an MBE for services to fencing.

Georgina was appointed as CEO in 2014 following a successful fencing career during which she won several Commonwealth medals for Scotland including individual gold in 2014, competed for Great Britain at numerous World Championships, achieved top 16 Senior World Ranking status, and won 10 Senior Individual National Championships and two European Veteran (40+) titles.

Aside from her career as an athlete, Georgina has fulfilled a variety of volunteer roles in fencing over the years from club to international level, including club coach, competition referee, British Fencing Board Director, Scottish Fencing Performance Director and FIE Safeguarding Officer.

Most recently Georgina was elected as President of the FIE Women and Fencing Council and passed her final exam to qualify as an IOC Safeguarding Officer.

Georgina also serves as a director on the British Olympic Association Board as an elected NGB representative.

Her achievements as CEO include driving a partnership between British Fencing and community organisation Maslaha to establish the highly successful ‘Muslim Girls Fence’ development project.

Speaking about the award Georgina said “I am truly delighted to receive this unexpected award.  I feel extremely honoured to be personally recognised, but also thankful for the recognition of British Fencing and our sport.  I am continuously grateful for the warmth and support of the fencing community over the years, especially from our incredible volunteers who give so much of their time to make fencing happen. I’d also like to take this opportunity to recognise the small but hard working staff team, our amazing coaches and our delivery partners who all dedicate themselves to supporting fencing – whether as part of our social impact projects, supporting our members and clubs, or piste side at major championships”.

Hilary Philbin MBE, President of BF said “It is wonderful to see Georgina, British Fencing and the sport of fencing recognised in this way. Georgina has had a lifelong involvement with so many aspects of our sport and continues to serve the sport and the fencing community (both in the UK and internationally) with dedication and passion.”