British Judo can confirm that following positive discussions held recently with the four BJA member clubs who previously intimated notice to submit eleven resolutions for the removal of the BJA Board of Directors that these resolutions will no longer be progressed. This positive and constructive meeting enabled British Judo to provide a clear understanding of the direction of travel of the proposed governance and operational changes currently being drafted for further consultation. The aim of these changes is to ensure a greater level of member engagement and transparency of the actions and the accountability of the board and the association.

On explanation of the BJA’s future governance plans, the four clubs confirmed their confidence in the BJA plans and withdrew the eleven resolutions regarding the BJA Board of Directors.

With regard to the remaining proposed resolution, which concerned a vote of no confidence in the BJA Chief Executive Officer, two of the four clubs decided to submit this resolution to the BJA Board for consideration at the forthcoming AGM. As this proposed vote of no confidence would have no effect upon the CEO’s contractual position with regard to his employment with the BJA, the Board considered it prudent to commission appropriate legal advice prior to deciding upon the advisability of allowing this resolution to be placed before the AGM.

The legal advice concluded that allowing resolution twelve to proceed would result in an unacceptable level of operational and financial risk to the association, and therefore favouring a prudent course of action the board have declined to allow this resolution to proceed.

A significant reason for the above decision was that the conduct of the BJA CEO in the matter of the withdrawal of 2015 Senior European Judo Championships has already been subject to review utilising the association’s HR policies and procedures. This review involved the undertaking of a full HR investigation carried out by a fully experienced, extremely competent and independent team which was completely independent of the BJA Board. This investigation team reported their findings to a disciplinary panel which again was independent of the board, and was comprised of members with appropriate experience and also a balance of BJA members and appropriately qualified external support. The panel considered the findings of the HR investigation and other appropriate evidence and information and on this basis made a determination and imposed an appropriate sanction upon the officer concerned.

The BJA board remain committed through its proposed operational and governance changes, to improving both the transparency and level of accountability with which it operates, and its engagement with both member clubs and the membership in general.

Ronnie Saez Chairman British Judo Association