Caroline Barnes has been elected as a Board Director following a ballot of the Paddle UK (England) membership.
Members elected Caroline as a Board Director in the ballot, held in response to changes made to the articles of association agreed at a General Meeting on 25th November 2024.
Receiving 33% of the votes cast Caroline, who started paddleboarding in 2019, was the clear winner in the ballot in which six candidates stood to be elected.
A qualified SUP instructor and transformational coach based in Gloucester, Caroline uses paddling to create unique outdoor learning experiences, to help beginners build confidence on the water and supporting corporate teams to explore resilience and connection.
Caroline also has 15 years of professional senior leadership and HR experience, currently as Director of People & Performance at Green Gourmet.
Her achievements include driving 93% employee engagement, securing four consecutive Great Place to Work certifications, and embedding values into organisational cultures.
Caroline is also committed to environmental sustainability and has been the driving force behind her current employer’s B Corp certification—one of the highest standards of ethical and environmental practice.
Speaking about her appointment Caroline Barnes said:
“I’m absolutely thrilled to be elected by the members as a Board Director of Paddle UK. This organisation has not only given me access to the sport I love but also opened up a whole new perspective on my career.
I am excited to get started, deepen my understanding of paddlesport in all its forms, and contribute to Paddle UK’s ambitions over the next four years.
“A huge thank you to everyone who voted for me and gave me this opportunity. I am truly grateful for your support.”
Caroline will commence her initial four-year term on the Paddle UK Board from 18 March 2025, when her appointment is formally announced at the Annual General Meeting.
Recruitment of two independent Board Directors will commence later this year.