Rod Carr, former chief executive of the RYA, has received a CBE for services to sailing in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List.

Carr retired in February, having been head of the RYA since 1990.

He said: ‘I feel incredibly proud to be awarded with this honour. It was an honour in itself to lead the RYA during a period of significant change and development for our sport.

‘Without the support of an army of committed volunteers, the RYA Staff and my family, my contribution and effectiveness would have been greatly diminished.

‘Not many people are fortunate enough to have had a career in an activity that is their passion; I count myself as extremely privileged.’

Born in Nottingham, Carr started sailing on the River Trent, then an urban sailing centre in North London and the National Sailing Centre in Cowes, where he became chief instructor in 1979.

He joined the RYA in the 1980s where he worked as a coach, racing manager and performance director and then as chief executive.

Richard Langford, chairman of the RYA Council, said: ‘I was delighted to hear of this well deserved honour for Rod, achieved I am sure not only for his work with the RYA, but sailing more generally. On behalf of all the members of the RYA I would like to offer him our heartfelt congratulations.

‘Rod has been involved with the sport of sailing since the early 1970’s and with the RYA since the 1980’s. Most people involved with boating will have benefitted from one or more of Rod’s initiatives.

‘He has been a respected ambassador for the sport of sailing for almost four decades and has played a key role in supporting the UK’s interests on the sailing world stage for the last fifteen years.’