The club is led by its Chair, Annamarie Phelps CBE OLY, and is run by two volunteer boards, supported by professional coaches and staff, and with student leaders elected each year to represent the squads.
The two boards are The CUBC Foundation and the Rowing Management Board.
The Foundation is custodian of the club for the long term, owning the assets and ensuring sustainability and financial independence. The Rowing Management Board focuses on operations, athlete experience and outcomes. The Student Committee, made up of the four student presidents and the club secretary, provides a strong student input to all aspects of club decision-making. Working together, our mission is to win Boat Races and retain our position as a leading university boat club. Success is not just winning; it’s knowing that every student athlete representing Cambridge is given the best possible support to develop on and off the water.
Stephen Peel OLY
Club Chair
Stephen earned his BA and MA from Cambridge University in 1987. He rowed in the Men’s Blue Boat in 1985, 1986 and 1987 and served as President in his final year. He was a member of the GB National Rowing Team (1985-1988), competing in three World Championships and representing England at the 1986 Commonwealth Games, where he won a silver medal. He also represented Great Britain at the 1988 Olympic Games.
Stephen Peel is an investor and global business executive who spent over 30 years in private equity, including 17 years as a senior partner at TPG Capital. He now invests in growing companies in the life sciences and the energy transition sectors. He has founded SMP Policy Innovation Limited to fund public policy research and he actively supports a range of charitable initiatives.
Brian Potterill
Chair, Rowing Management Board
Brian studied at Fitzwilliam College and rowed in the winning 1988 and 1989 men’s lightweight crews before going on to serve as President in 1989. He has served on the Rowing and Management Board since unification and became the Chair in 2024.
Nicholas Bliss
Chair, The CUBC Foundation (TCF)
Nick Bliss read Law at Corpus Christi College, where he learnt to row as an undergraduate. Already a talented athlete, Nick was awarded a half blue in swimming in 1980. This versatility meant that he was selected to race for Goldie in 1981 and for the Blue Boat in 1982. Following a move to London, he raced competitively for three years at Vesta Rowing Club.
Nick remains involved in the sport as an avid supporter of the Boat Races, Henley Royal Regatta, and the performances of Team GB. Nick has been a driving force within the Club since 2019 and is committed to delivering Boat Race winning crews for years to come.
Nick is a lawyer with particular expertise in infrastructure. He is married and has four children, all of whom are talented sportspeople outside of the rowing world.