Derek Batchelor is the new Chairman of BADMINTON England. The 65-year-old was previously Deputy Chairman and succeeds Mike Sertin, who died suddenly during the recent Yonex All England Championships.

Adrian Christy, BADMINTON England’s Chief Executive, said today: “I am delighted for Derek and very much look forward to working with him. I had a strong relationship with Mike Sertin and I am sure Derek and I can continue to drive the Association forward.”

Derek is from Bedford and is married to Anne and he has a stepson who lives in Las Vegas.

In his working life he was with the Open University for 34 years, working as its Contracts Manager for the last 17 years. He then joined Bedfordshire County Council as its Property Services Contracts Manager and ended up looking after its property portfolio.

Derek has tremendous knowledge of badminton across all level from International through to local level. He sits on the Badminton England International Committee as well as the European Badminton Confederation for the Disabled. Derek is also Chair of the BADMINTON England Development Board and is a member of BADMINTON England’s Board of Directors.

At local level, Derek is Chairman of Bedfordshire County Badminton Association and he is on the board of the team BEDS&LUTON County Sports Partnership. He is also Chair of Sport Bedford, a local Community Sports Network.

Derek said: “I look forward to taking BADMINTON England forward over the next three years. We have an exciting time ahead with the World Championships in London in 2011 and the Olympic Games in 2012.
“I also look forward to seeing a further increase in participation levels across the country. We have seen fantastic success in this area in recent years and I am sure this will continue.

“I am passionate about the growth and development of disability badminton and will do all I can to support the inclusion of badminton in the 2016 Paralympics Games.”