The Chief Executive of the Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy (WPNSA) is to retire later this year.

John Tweed has been involved in the academy since its inception and now feels the time is right to be handing over the helm.

He said: ‘It has been a privilege to have been working with a team engaged in such a wonderful project.

‘I have been fortunate enough to experience this incredible journey, since the early days of the academy, including the initial planning and fundraising, through the construction stage and working on the Olympic bid with the London 2012 bid team.

‘I remember vividly the excitement on 6 July, 2005 when the IOC selected London as the host city for the 2012 Games.’

A period of intense activity followed as the further works necessary at the academy were designed in order to bring the venue up to the specification for an Olympic and Paralympic sailing venue.

Working together with the Olympic Development Authority (ODA) the WPNSA then became the first of the 2012 venues to be completed, back in 2008.

The culmination was, of course, seeing the venue host what is widely regarded as one of the most successful Olympic and Paralympic sailing events ever.

Mr Tweed also noted the on-going environmental and legacy qualities at the Academy.

He added: ‘I am equally proud, however, of our environmental and community sailing achievements.

‘Particular highlights have been the enormously successful ‘Sail for a Fiver’ programme run in conjunction with the Chesil Trust and the recent establishment of a local ‘Sailability’ group, Chesil Sailability, which will increase the opportunities for people with disabilities to go sailing.

‘The work with Weymouth College to provide young people with the opportunities to follow a career in the marine leisure industry has also been very exciting and positive.’

The WPNSA Board will now work to identify the right person to take over and ensure that the academy has a successful and sustainable future.

The academy will be advertising nationally for a suitable person to take over as Chief Executive, with a closing date for applications at the end of May 2013.

Interviews will be held during June this year and it is hoped that the new appointment will be able to take up the position during the academy’s busy summer months.

The ideal candidate will have considerable sailing experience in small boats, combined with considerable financial and management experience and skills.

Details of the post, including a copy of the formal advertisement, job description, person specification and application form can be obtained from the academy by phoning 01305 866000 or e-mailing John Tweed at john.tweed@wpnsa.org.uk

(Picture: John Tweed with Lord Seb Coe. Credit: Dorset Media Service)