The British Esports Federation has appointed former Olympic swimmer Alice Dearing as its new Co-Vice Chair. She joins fellow Co-Vice Chair Lord Vaizey of Didcot and British Esports Chair Andy Payne in the organisation’s leadership team.
Alice Dearing’s exact responsibilities as Co-Vice Chair have not been shared in the official announcement. However, a Co-Vice Chair usually helps guide the organisation by giving advice, supporting important decisions, and helping shape its future direction. The role often includes working closely with leadership teams to improve operations and achieve long-term goals.
For example, if the Federation is planning to expand into new markets or launch new programs, a Co-Vice Chair may provide strategic suggestions, review plans, and help ensure the organisation stays aligned with its overall mission.
Dearing has been a member of the British Esports Advisory Board since September 2022. During this time, she has spoken at the federation’s Be The Change Summit, where she talked about the positive impact of esports and the challenges that some people and communities face when trying to enter spaces that have not always been welcoming or inclusive.
Outside of swimming, Dearing is co-founder of the Black Swimming Association and is part of the UK Anti-Doping Athlete Commission. Dearing retired from elite swimming before the Paris 2024 Olympics and now focuses on advocacy work, encouraging more diversity in both swimming and esports.
Alice Dearing OLY, British Esports Co-Vice Chair, said, “Gaming and esports has been such an important part of my life from an early age, and I am delighted to be able to play my part in the journey British Esports is on to gain greater recognition for British esports athletes and teams.”
British Esports President Chester King said, “We’re delighted to welcome Alice to the British Esports team. We’re honoured to have an Olympian of her stature and experience providing input into our operations and work at an important moment in our growth. Alice brings an incredible lens into knowing what it takes to be an elite sportsperson”, her appointment tying in with our vision to elevate esports performance, for esports players and talent to receive similar levels of support and infrastructure that sports provides, in order to help them be the best they can be.”
The appointment comes shortly after British Esports announced a partnership with Loughborough University to develop and to work on shared projects in the esports sector. The organisation is also investing in a new entertainment and esports venue called the British Arena, which is currently under construction and is planned to open in summer 2026.
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