Swimming Teachers’ Association (STA) CEO Roger Millward has announced that he will retire next summer, with his son Theo set to take over the reins at the charity organisation.

Millward senior announced that he would be stepping down at the STA’s recent national conference, having spent 20 years at the helm. He will continue to play an active part in STA, working in particular on an international level with International Federation of Swimming Teachers' Associations (IFSTA) members.

“While I will miss the day-to-day challenges at STA, the time is right to hand over to a younger person and I have no doubt that under Theo’s leadership STA will continue to succeed and lead the way,” said Millward.

“I now look forward to focusing my efforts internationally; I will be working proactively with IFSTA members, International Lifesaving Federation (ILS) and governments in an effort to strengthen global water safety standards and create education-led drowning preventative measures.”

Millward junior joined STA full-time in 2011, after working for a number of international firms including IBM and Grant Thornton. He is the current operations director and said it was an “enormous honour” to be appointed CEO of the world’s largest swimming teaching and lifesaving organisation.

“Theo’s intense passion for the organisation and commitment to ensuring STA can be the best it can and provide what is in the best interests of the industry, makes him the natural successor to Roger,” said STA president and trustee Dave Candler.

“As operations director, Theo has led the way with dedication and enthusiasm, creating a very special team at Anchor House and positioning the organisation on a whole new level.”