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2025-26 ANNUAL REPORT - PRESIDENT'S REPORT

This article forms part of a series of reports which accompany the 2025-26 BF Annual Report.   

BF President Pat Aiyenuro smiling at a camera

FIE Executive Committee Election

The 2025-2026 season has been an eventful and rewarding year, both personally and professionally.

At the FIE Congress held on 22 November 2025 in Manama, Bahrain, I was elected to the Executive Committee (COMEX) of the Fédération Internationale d’Escrime (FIE), securing 69 votes against 63 for the French candidate, Philippe Omnès.

The members of the FIE Executive Committee were originally elected during the 2024 FIE Congress. However, following the resignation of the FIE Interim President in April 2025, a vacancy arose on COMEX. Under FIE regulations, the position would normally be offered to the candidate receiving the next highest number of votes at the most recent election. As both Philippe Omnès and I had received an equal number of votes, a further election was required to determine the appointment.

This is a particularly proud achievement, as it marks the first time in over a decade that Great Britain has been represented on the FIE Executive Committee, following Peter Jacobs’ departure from the committee in 2013.

I am honoured and delighted to have been given this opportunity to work alongside colleagues from across the world to help build a stronger future for the FIE and the sport of fencing globally. I would like to express my sincere thanks to Hilary Philbin, Georgina Usher (CEO of British Fencing), and UK Sport for their invaluable support throughout the campaign.

Georgina Usher also attended the congress where she launched the FIE Research project on Gender Equity.

FIE Activities and International Representation

As a member of the FIE Executive Committee, 2026 has been an exceptionally busy year. I have attended a number of international competitions, congresses and strategic meetings on behalf of the FIE, including:

  • April 2026 – Junior and Cadet World Championships, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
  • May 2026 – Meetings of FIE Commissions and Councils, Sofia, Bulgaria
  • July 2026 – Senior World Championships, Hong Kong
  • September 2026 – International Fencing Conference, Tashkent, Uzbekistan

During the meetings in Sofia, I supported the Fair Play Council in developing its strategic plan. Georgina Usher, representing the Women in Fencing Council, presented the results of a survey conducted among national federations concerning female participation and engagement within the sport. Janet Huggins (SEMI) and Peter Jacobs (Legal) also attended the meetings.

European Fencing Confederation Activities

Hilary Philbin (ex BF President) continues to play a vital role on the EFC Executive Committee and I am extremely grateful for all her hard work and support.

In my role as Head of Operations for the Equality and Diversity Commission, I was pleased to represent British Fencing and the European Fencing Confederation (EFC) in a number of important initiatives.

I participated in an EFC Question and Answer session focusing on equality, diversity and inclusion initiatives across European fencing. Additionally, I attended a round-table discussion, hosted by the Italian Fencing Federation in March 2026, which brought together representatives from more than 14 national federations to explore ways of promoting autism inclusion within fencing.

Representatives from the Change Foundation, a valued British Fencing partner, shared their expertise and experiences. The President of the Italian Fencing Federation, Luigi Mazzone, also delivered an excellent presentation showcasing innovative work undertaken to support autistic fencers within Italy.

Myself and Georgina Usher presented to the June 2026 EFC Congress in our respective lead roles on the EFC Equality & Diversity and Safeguarding Commissions.

SwordSeat International Partnerships

I am also delighted to report that British Fencing has signed SwordSeat Memorandum of Understanding with three major international federations:

  • France
  • Germany
  • United States of America

In December 2025, I was honoured to represent British Fencing in Paris at the French National Championships, where the first international SwordSeat partnership agreement was formally signed. This was followed by a further signing ceremony with Germany during the European Championships in Antony, France, in June 2026.

These agreements formally welcome each federation into the SwordSeat family and will enable them to deliver the SwordSeat programme using British Fencing’s established training materials, resources and expertise.

International Appointments

I was particularly pleased to see the continued success of British Fencing members elected and appointed into roles on FIE, EFC and World Para Fencing commissions and councils. These appointments demonstrate the growing influence and contribution of British administrators and volunteers within international fencing.

A full list of current positions held by British Fencing members is included later in this report.

Commonwealth Championships and Para Fencing Development

At the conclusion of the season, I attended the Commonwealth Fencing Championships in Lagos, Nigeria, supporting the Local Organising Committee in delivering a highly successful event.

This championship represented a significant milestone as the first Senior Commonwealth Fencing Championships ever hosted in Africa. I am pleased to report that the competition was a tremendous success and showcased the growing strength of fencing across the continent.

Alongside the championships, I worked in partnership with World Ability sport to organise the first Wheelchair Fencing Development Camp in Africa. The camp attracted participants from over 13 countries across Africa and the wider Commonwealth, providing an important platform for athlete development and international collaboration.

Athlete Performance

It has been encouraging to see the continued improvement in Great Britain’s international performances, particularly at cadet and junior level.

Among the most notable achievements this season were the outstanding performances at the Junior European Zonal Championships in Tbilisi, Georgia:

  • Gold Medal – David Sosnov -Junior Men’s Foil
  • Silver Medal – Mohammed Belbouab – Junior Men’s Foil
  • Bronze Medal – Amelie Tsang -Junior Women’s Foil
  • Bronze Medal – Tristan Lumineau -Junior Men’s Épée
  • Bronze Medal – Junior Men’s Foil Team Event

These results are a testament to the dedication and hard work of our athletes, coaches and support staff throughout the season. I extend my sincere congratulations to everyone involved.

Refereeing

It is also pleasing to note the continued growth in the number of qualified British international referees.

In particular, it was excellent to see Euan Deamer included on the FIE Master List, joining Sam McLellan and Adrian Speakman. This achievement reflects the high standard of officiating being developed within British Fencing.

I look forward to seeing even more British referees progressing onto the international circuit whilst continuing to make invaluable contributions to domestic fencing throughout the UK.

Looking Ahead

I am looking forward to attending the Para Fencing European Championships in Cardiff, Wales, in October 2026.

This event is particularly significant as it represents:

  • The first European qualification event on the road to the Los Angeles 2028 Paralympic Games.
  • The first Para Fencing European Championships ever to be hosted in Cardiff.

My thanks go to the Welsh Government, UK Sport, British Fencing and all stakeholders involved in bringing this prestigious event to Wales. I wish all competing athletes every success.

British Representatives on International Bodies

Fédération Internationale d’Escrime (FIE)

  • Pat Aiyenuro – Executive Committee (COMEX)
  • Peter Jacobs – Legal Commission
  • Janet Huggins – SEMI Commission
  • Georgina Usher – Women in Fencing Council

European Fencing Confederation (EFC)

  • Hilary Philbin – Executive Committee
  • Pat Aiyenuro – Equality and Diversity Commission
  • Tom Cadman – Legal Commission
  • Georgina Usher – Safeguarding Commission
  • Jon Willis – Competition Commission
  • Carl Morris – Veterans Council

World Para Fencing

  • Peter Huggins: SEMI Commission
  • Gemma Collis: Athlete’s Commission, Gender Equity Commission

(Full list here)

Acknowledgements

As always, sincere thanks are due to all of our international representatives. Their work is undertaken on a voluntary basis, and their dedication, expertise and commitment continue to make a significant contribution to the development of fencing both in Great Britain and across the international community.

Click here for the full 2025-26 Annual Report.