A man from South East Cornwall has become the new chief executive of Great British Wheelchair Rugby (GBWR) as it gears up its Elite Team to go for gold at the 2012 Paralympics. David Pond, from Kingsand, a former-Naval Commodore, was selected from a prestigious and high-level candidate list for his proven leadership and performance transformation skills.

GBWR chairman Justin Frishberg said: 'There is a tantalising challenge to go for at GBWR – we have the No.4 team in the world with our Elite Team, and a very real chance of getting a medal at the Paralympics.

'We were looking for an outstanding individual who can inspire and lead top teams, but also develop and manage the grass roots of the organisation, which is equally important. An appointment of David's calibre shows how serious we are about meeting those challenges.'

Pond, who also runs his own successful Interim Management and Consultancy business specialising in leadership, mentoring and business transformation, enjoyed a career in the Royal Navy which he left in 2006 following a final appointment as chief executive and Commanding

Officer of HMS Raleigh, the Royal Navy's premier training college, with more 3,000 trainees on any one day. 

'GBWR really excited me,' admitted Pond, (pictured).

'At the Elite level it's an incredible sport... fast, cutting edge and incredibly athletic.

'At club level it has a hugely positive impact on its participants, and can literally transform lives.

'Combined with the challenge of leading an organisation to gear up for the Paralympics, it was an opportunity too good to miss enabling me to put my career experience and skills to really effective use.'

For further details see this week's Cornish Times.