British Wrestling is delighted to announce two new appointments to its Board of Directors: Mark Charig joins as the new Welsh Director, replacing the outgoing Ian Wiggett, and Tom Reynolds is appointed as an additional Director, bringing valuable communications expertise to the organisation. These appointments mark an exciting chapter as British Wrestling continues its drive to grow the sport and support its athletes on the world stage.
A New Welsh Director: Welcome Mark Charig
The British Wrestling Board extends a warm welcome to Mark Charig, who steps into the role of Welsh Director. Mark’s appointment follows the conclusion of Ian Wiggett’s term on the Board, in line with the organisation’s articles of association.
Mark joins the Board with a wealth of experience and a passionate connection to the sport. He is currently the active Chair of the Welsh Wrestling Association and brings a unique perspective as both a long-serving coach and a dedicated wrestling parent. His connection to the elite level of the sport is particularly strong, as he is the father of Kane Charig, a celebrated silver medallist at the 2018 Commonwealth Games.
Beyond his sporting expertise, Mark brings significant professional experience in safeguarding and welfare. As a qualified psychiatric nurse and having run his own successful care home business, he has vast, hands-on experience in managing complex welfare issues and ensuring the highest standards of care. This professional background will be invaluable in guiding British Wrestling’s commitment to providing a safe, supportive, and inclusive environment for all its members.
This experience, spanning grassroots development, international competition, and professional welfare management, will be vital in ensuring the Welsh perspective is strongly represented at the national level and in helping to drive our ambitious plans forward.
Mark Charig said on his appointment,
“I am really pleased and proud to have been appointed as the Welsh Wrestling Association’s Director on the BWA board. I look forward to working cohesively with the BWA and attempt to fill the boots of the outgoing Welsh Director Ian Wigget who as always has done a stellar job during his term.”
A Huge Thanks to Ian Wiggett
The entire British Wrestling community wishes to express its deepest gratitude to Ian Wiggett for his incredible commitment and contribution to the Board over the past eight years. Ian’s dedication and hard work have been instrumental in steering the organisation and supporting the development of wrestling across the UK.
While Ian steps down from the British Wrestling Board, he will certainly not be lost to the sport. We are delighted that he will continue to contribute significantly to wrestling in the UK and internationally, maintaining his roles as a director for Welsh Wrestling, a qualified official, and the Secretary of the UWW Commonwealth Wrestling Committee.
Strengthening Communications: Introducing Tom Reynolds
In a strategic move to fill a key skill gap identified during a recent board audit, British Wrestling is delighted to welcome Tom Reynolds as a new Director. Tom is a highly accomplished senior communications professional, bringing over a decade of leadership experience from the medical indemnity and insurance sector.
Tom’s extensive background encompasses a wide array of vital disciplines, including public affairs, marketing, public policy, and media relations. Crucially for British Wrestling, he has considerable experience in working effectively with key external stakeholders—specifically regulators, elected officials, and civil servants. This experience will be vital in ensuring that the perspective and needs of our wrestling community are not only heard but also properly reflected in public policy and legislation, a critical aspect of securing long-term support and funding for the sport.
Tom is a true believer in the power of sport, and is deeply passionate about the positive impact grassroots sport in particular can have on all communities across the United Kingdom. He is enthusiastic about British Wrestling’s ambitions to support more UK athletes to both qualify for and succeed on the international stage, including the Olympic and Commonwealth Games.
Quote from Tom Reynolds:
“I am absolutely delighted to be joining the board of the BWA. It is such an exciting time for the sport in the UK, and I am ambitious for what our athletes can achieve. Wrestling is a grassroots sport – local clubs across all nations of the UK are its backbone, and the BWA, as the sports governing body, has a vital role to play in supporting them and helping the sport to grow. Communication and engagement needs to be at the heart of this, and I look forward to playing my part in delivering that.”
Quote from Steven Esom, Chair of British Wrestling:
“I’d like to extend a huge British Wrestling welcome to both Mark Charig and Tom Reynolds. Mark’s experience as a coach, parent, and leader of Welsh Wrestling will be crucial in helping us achieve our collective goals. Equally, Tom’s high-level communications expertise is exactly what the Board needs right now to ensure our message is clear, consistent, and heard across the political and sporting landscapes. I also want to take this opportunity to offer my sincere and profound thanks to Ian Wiggett. Eight years of service on the board is a remarkable commitment but just part of Ian’s wider contributions that have left a lasting positive impact on our sport. We are immensely grateful for his dedication and pleased that he will continue to play a vital role in Welsh and Commonwealth wrestling.”
These new additions to the Board demonstrate British Wrestling’s commitment to continuous improvement and strategic growth. With strengthened expertise in regional governance and professional communications, the organisation is well-positioned to achieve its mission of promoting and developing wrestling for everyone in the UK.
