British Olympic Association (BOA) Media Manager Philip Pope is to leave the BOA to take up the role of Public Affairs Manager at Cricket Australia.

Philip has been the BOA’s Media Manager since March 2001 and the Chief Press Attache to the Great Britain Olympic Team at the 2004 Athens Olympic Games and the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympic Winter Games.

Philip joined the BOA in 1999, having previously been a staff reporter on The Mirror’s graduate trainee scheme. Between 1999 and 2001 he was the BOA’s Press and Publications Officer, specialising in winter sports and the, then, infant project to publicise a potential London Olympic Bid for 2012, as well as running the London BOA Public Relations Office during the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games.

Philip was centrally involved in delivering the media aspect of the 2004 Athens Olympic Torch Relay in London and the London Parade of Heroes after the Athens Olympic Games, both of which assisted London’s profile in advance of the 2012 bid decision this year. In addition, he was part of the Bid Team in Singapore, working with London 2012, to assist in the final days of the 2012 campaign.

Commenting on Philip’s departure, BOA Chief Executive Simon Clegg, said: “Whilst I am naturally disappointed at losing Philip Pope from the senior management team here at the BOA, I am delighted that his skills and expertise have been recognised by such an important body as Cricket Australia. Philip has made a major contribution to the BOA during his time with us, not least his management of the media team in Athens and his skilful support with the political and media lobbying campaigns which resulted in the government and the Mayor of London agreeing to support a London bid for the 2012 Olympic Games. We shall miss his professionalism and dedication to the BOA and the athletes we support and we wish him well with his long-term move to Australia.”

Philip Pope said: “I’ve made a life changing decision to move to Australia and am delighted to have been appointed to such a prestigious role with one of the world’s great sporting bodies, Cricket Australia. I’ve had six wonderful years at the BOA and hope I’ve helped in raising the profile of the BOA, Team GB and all our athletes and sports. I’d like to thank all the individuals who’ve helped me in this role, particularly Olympians across 35 sports, who I’ve worked with at the Olympic Games. All staff at the BOA have been hugely supportive over the years but I’d especially like to thank Chief Executive Simon Clegg, IOC Member Craig Reedie and BOA Chairman Colin Moynihan for the opportunities offered to me and the advice and guidance given. I wish the BOA and the Olympic Movement well as the UK builds towards the London 2012 Olympic Games.”

For more information contact Media Officer Becki Middleton in the BOA Media Office on +44 (0) 208 871 2677 ext 215