The Triathlon Industry Association (TIA) appointed Mel Berry, founder of sports marketing agency Very Berry, as chairman of its board.

Berry will swap roles with Nick Rusling, CEO of Human Race, who becomes deputy chair of the ten-person board, after two years at the helm.

Commenting on her appointment, Berry said, “As someone who cares passionately about the sport of triathlon, and wishes to see its commercial future flourish, I am very proud to represent the industry as Chair of TIA.

“Mine and the new board’s vision for the association over the next twelve months is to strengthen key partnerships with industry leaders and the governing body British Triathlon, as well as growth into new areas. This will involve consultation with and continued growth of the membership and a focus on monetizing the success of the Rio games for TIA members. We have seen year-on-year growth of 15% over the last year, and our core purpose is to see this continue.”

As well as fresh faces, the new TIA board will see the introduction of a new approach to the association’s quarterly meetings, which provide a key platform for its 100 members to collaborate to develop, grow and protect the sport.

Meetings will now welcome external speakers in order for TIA members to learn best practice both from other sports and industries. This Thursday’s meeting at the Cycle Show, at the NEC in Birmingham, will host speakers from British Triathlon, the Dame Kelly Holmes Trust and a presentation by Boots’ Head of CSR.

The TIA comprises event organisers, equipment manufacturers, tour operators, retailers, distributors and media.

Featuring many of the sport’s most influential stakeholders, the new TIA Board boasts considerable strength and depth, and is as follows:

  • Mel Berry / Very Berry (Chairman)
  • Nick Rusling / Human Race (Deputy Chairman)
  • Brendan Fox / Sports Tours International
  • Jane Hansom / Sponge Marketing
  • 
Dean Jackson / Huub
Fliss Jackson / Triathlonguard
  • Gary Roethenbaugh / MultiSport Research
  • Paul Shanley / Tri247
Damon Street / Zoot
  • David Townsend / Kelsey Media – Triathlon Plus