Paddle UK formally announces the appointments of Tim Weller and Diji Akinwale as independent directors to the Board.
Nick Donald, Chair of Paddle UK said:
“Following an open and transparent process, for which we received a high volume of quality applicants, I am delighted to welcome Tim and Diji to the Board of Paddle UK.
“Not only will Tim and Diji bring their professional expertise to the Board as Independent Directors, but their passion for paddling and understanding of club environments and recreation will be of great benefit to the Board.”
Tim Weller is a chartered accountant, with an executive career working over twenty years across a number of different industries in the role of chief financial officer.
Starting his career at KPMG, Tim has worked for organisations including United Utilities, Thames Water, nPower and Capita.
Tim has also held non-executive roles with organisations including BBC Worldwide, G4S, and The Carbon Trust where he was deputy chair and a non-executive for over 16 years. He is currently an independent member of the Council of the University of Exeter, where he is chair of the audit and risk committee.
Since stepping down from an executive role, Tim has rekindled his love of paddling activities with stand-up paddleboarding and kayaking in and around the Carrick Roads in Cornwall.
As an independent director, Tim has also been appointed as the Chair of the Finance and Audit Committee.
Speaking about his appointment Tim Weller said:
“I very much look forward to utilising my finance expertise, coupled with my non-executive experience, to support the Board of Paddle UK as an independent director and chair of the Finance and Audit Committee.
“During my time with United Utilities and Thames Water, I saw first-hand the detrimental impact on our environment, biodiversity, and water courses of under-invested water and wastewater infrastructure, poor land management, intensive farming, and climate change.
“As a result, I have a good understanding of the importance of Paddle UK’s support for the Clean Water Sports Alliance as it seeks to ensure healthy and nature-rich blue spaces, and as a keen paddler, I wish to play my part in supporting our work in this critical area.”
Diji Akinwale is a senior executive with a track record in driving transformation and value creation across media, technology and professional services organisations.
He has deep experience in strategy, new revenue growth, transformation and operations. Most recently he led strategy and transformation for NCC Group, a FTSE-listed technology services business.
Diji also played a lead role in setting the strategy that drove Guardian Media Group’s first cash positive year in recent history, as well as spending a number of years at McKinsey & Co. as an expert in digital strategy and transformation.
Diji is a passionate white water kayaker who is a member of both Lee Valley Paddlesports Club and Regents Canoe Club, and regularly takes to the water to experience paddling adventures all over the UK.
Speaking about his appointment Diji Akinwale said:
“I’m excited to contribute my professional experience in strategy and transformation to help Paddle UK as it looks to build on its recent strategic success.
“As a paddler and qualified white water leader, I have benefitted in many ways from the work that Paddle UK does to get people on the water and I look forward to playing my part by supporting the Board as an independent director.”
Tim and Diji attended their first Paddle UK Board meeting on 8 June 2025, held at Lee Valley White Water Centre.