Businessman Paul Scope and former police officer Mark Clarke are to take the helm of a SailGP Bermuda steering committee set up to involve the public with the event.

Mr Scope, the chairman of Willis Bermuda and the Bermuda Business Development Agency, has been involved in local football as a player, coach and as co-founder of the Bermuda Hogges.

Mr Clarke was a Detective Inspector with the Bermuda Police Service, best known for his work with the vulnerable and victims of sexual offences.

Now the Sail chairman for East End Mini Yacht Club, he has represented Bermuda in the Comet sailing class and has deep ties with Bermuda’s historically black sailing clubs.

The SailGP Bermuda Grand Prix will be held on April 24 and 25, and will be hosted by the Bermuda Tourism Authority.

The global league will stage a four-week training camp in Bermuda, followed by the two-day, live-televised first event on the waters of the Great Sound.

The new committee was tasked with overseeing educational programmes, community engagement and local business and entrepreneurial opportunities.

Mr Scope, the chairman, and Mr Clarke, the deputy chairman, are finalising the invitations to other members to the committee’s board who are reflective of stakeholder groups with meaningful social or economic engagement points with the camp and Grand Prix.

Glenn Jones, the interim chief executive of the BTA, said: “Our objective is clear – ensure opportunities are openly communicated to diverse audiences so that our local community is fully engaged.

“I know Paul and Mark are passionate about how an event like this can achieve grass roots benefits and they’re committed to driving a dynamic team to make that happen.”

The SailGP Community Steering Committee’s mission aims to achieve:

• Broad community participation

• Transparency in the management of RFPs

• Connectivity between job opportunities and the jobless, in partnership with the Department of Workforce Development and the BTA

• Youth sailing activities that capture the imaginations of Bermuda’s young people and further the work of the Endeavour Programme

• Awareness of Bermuda’s diverse maritime heritage, including the contributions of black sailors

• A bridge-building approach between the event and local stakeholder groups, including non-profits, community boating and social clubs and entrepreneurs

Mr Clarke said: “SailGP represents for Bermuda a unique opportunity to reboot our island’s economy.

“Most importantly, it also has the ability to highlight our unique maritime history and diversity, as well as the way in which Bermuda has always overcome adversity.

“Paul and I have worked on numerous sporting events, and this time we will be able to work together. I look forward to our mission in helping make the Grand Prix an event inclusive of our whole community.”