News
Xchanging Sponsors the Boat Race
02 Feb 2005
London, February 2 2005: The world-famous Oxford and Cambridge universities compete annually for the trophy. Xchanging becomes part of The Boat Race team at a period when the Races are closer and more exciting than ever before. Oxford, for instance, won the 2003 Race by just one foot. This year's race will be held on Sunday, March 27th.
A quarter of a million people watch the Race from the riverside and the worldwide television audience approaches 150 million annually.
For the first time, the broadcasting of the Race will be handled by ITV Sport, which will be using a fresh approach to Race coverage.
ITV has also committed to a prime-time documentary slot on the eve of the Race showing just how hard Oxford and Cambridge students have to work to win a seat in the "Blue" boats.
David Andrews, Chief Executive Officer and Founder of Xchanging, commented:
"We are thrilled to sponsor such a prestigious event. For me the Boat Race is all about perseverance and strength, coupled with intense training and teamwork. Xchanging has had to forge similar characteristics to get to 3,000 people in 10 countries in five years from scratch".
Christopher Rodrigues, Chairman of The Boat Race Company Limited, organisers of the Boat Race on behalf of Oxford and Cambridge Universities, said:
"We are delighted that, in Xchanging, we have a sponsor which matches the internationalism and excellence of the event. Xchanging will bring the energy and momentum that has characterised their business success to The Boat Race. We are greatly looking forward to working together with both Xchanging and ITV to further enhance the event and its coverage".
Martin Gilbert, Chief Executive of Aberdeen Asset Management plc the previous sponsor of the event, said:
"We have been extremely pleased with our six years as partners of this unique and great event, culminating in the 150th celebrations of last year, and could not be passing it on to better hands".