We are pleased to announce that James Wurr will take on the position of Event Director of the 2027 World Bowls Championships from May. This newly created post will provide day-to-day leadership for the event’s delivery, from operational planning and development through to on-event execution and post-event reporting.
James will be accountable for the core objectives of the World Bowls Championships – quality experiences for players and spectators, increased profile of the sport of bowls and local community impact – whilst ensuring sound financial management, operational excellence and positive stakeholder engagement.
James joins Bowls England from the Department of Media, Culture and Sport where he has undertaken a range of roles including as Event Manager for the commemorations marking the 80th anniversary of VE and VJ Day. Previously he has worked with British Cycling and the UCI to plan for and deliver the sport competition elements of the Indoor Cycling World Championships in Glasgow and been Senior Events Operations Consultant for the Rugby League World Cup in 2021.
In 2023, James joined the Bowls England Board as an Independent Director. Since then, he has developed a Public Affairs strategy to enhance relationships with government departments, Sport England and local authorities and has authored the World Bowls Championships bid proposal, articulating the sport’s value, a compelling long-term vision and ambitious legacy and impact goals.
In taking this position, James has stepped down from his role as Independent Board member after one three-year term and relinquishes his role as the Chair of the World Bowls Championships Stakeholder Board. Bowls England is currently recruiting for a new Independent Director.
Chair of Bowls England, Jo Doust, said, “I would like to thank James for his contribution to the Bowls England board over the last few years, and I’m delighted that our sport will not be losing his energy and expertise. We are excited to be staging the World Bowls Championships at Victoria Park, providing an opportunity for bowls lovers to watch the sport played by the world’s best and for bowls clubs to benefit from the visibility and inspiration the event will create.”
James Wurr added, “I’m incredibly proud to take on this role and lead the delivery of the 2027 World Bowls Championships. This is a fantastic opportunity to showcase our sport on the global stage, create a memorable experience for players and spectators alike and leave a legacy for the bowls community. I’m looking forward to working closely with the incredible Bowls England team as well as our partners and stakeholders to bring our shared vision to life and ensure the event delivers meaningful impact both locally and internationally.”
The World Bowls Championships will take place at Victoria Park, Royal Leamington Spa in July/August 2027. In conjunction with key stakeholders, World Bowls, UK Sport and Warwick District Council, Bowls England will be welcoming over 24 nations from around the world to compete across 14 events – men’s, women’s and Para competitions.
More information about the event and details on tickets will be released in due course. To be the first to hear about the 2027 World Championships and get priority ticket access, sign up below: