Rod Carr, Chief Executive of the Royal Yachting Association (RYA) has received an OBE for his services to sailing in the Queen’s birthday honours list.

Rod Carr was surprised to receive the award and said: “I consider myself extremely privileged to have spent my career working in a sport that I love and which encompasses everything from gentle cruising to Olympic competition. This award is a great honour, not only for me, but also the RYA.”

Eddie Ramsden MBE, RYA Chairman said: “I am delighted to hear of this very well deserved honour to our Chief Executive, Rod Carr. His leadership, enthusiasm and vast knowledge of sailing has put British boating at the forefront of international sport and he has also made a major contribution to the British Olympic movement. Rod is liked by everyone who knows him and there will be many, many people delighted by the award of this honour in recognition of a lifetime of achievement.”

Born and brought up in Nottingham, Rod started sailing on the River Trent. His passion for the sport of sailing took him to an urban sailing centre in North London and then to the National Sailing Centre in Cowes in 1975, where he became chief instructor four years later.

His reputation for motivating and encouraging people led to his recruitment as Crew Boss for his winning Admiral’s Cup campaign in 1981 on board Yeoman.

Rod’s talents came to the attention of the Royal Yachting Association (RYA) in the early 80s. He was appointed coach for the Olympic team and led them into the Los Angeles games in 1984, the Seoul Games in 1988 and the Barcelona Games in 1988 before being appointed overall team manager for the Atlanta games in 1996. He was appointed RYA Racing Manager and Performance Director in 1997.

Rod was the architect of the RYA World Class Performance programme for sailing that has successfully attracted vital funds from the National Lottery to the sport. He can, with some pride, reflect in the golden glow achieved by the British Sailing Team at both the Olympic Games in Sydney in 2000 and Athens in 2004.

Concluding, the chairman said: “I cannot think of anyone in British sport who is harder working and more deserving of recognition than Rod Carr and I speak on behalf of everyone in RYA in offering heartiest congratulations from us all.”