The International Orienteering Federation at its bi-annual General Assembly in Lausanne, Switzerland this week elected Brian Porteous, Great Britain as its new President. He replaces Åke Jacobson, Sweden who has retired after an eight-year period as President.

Brian Porteous, a Scot, has for the past four years been the IOF Vice President responsible for Regional Development. He has been a member of the IOF Council since 2004.

Brian’s profession is in sports consultancy, where he is recognized as an expert in the strategic development of sports federations and municipal sports plans, the staging of major sports events and the planning and development of major sports facilities.

In his time on the IOF Council, Brian’s main focus has been on Regional Development and he has led the work to increase the number of members of the Federation (now 73) and to establish support structures for development around the world. He sees this as a continuing major priority, along with the greater exposure of the sport on television, if the sport is to attain its Olympic vision.