The Rugby Football Union (RFU) have announced that John Steele will become its next Chief Executive Officer (CEO).
Steele joins from UK Sport where he is Chief Executive Officer and replaces Francis Baron, who signalled his intent to step down from the role last November after nearly 12 years.
Since that time an Executive Recruitment Panel drawn from the RFU Management Board has undertaken a comprehensive and exhaustive search process which culminated in the appointment.
Steele was chosen as having the outstanding mix of leadership skills, rugby expertise and business experience required for what is one of the most complex and demanding roles in sport globally.
His background in rugby covers a successful playing and coaching career at the elite level, culminating in leading Northampton Saints to Heineken Cup success in 2000.
He then moved to become Executive Director of the club where, as well as extensive engagement with grassroots rugby from minis through schools to clubs at all levels he also drove the club's fortunes off the pitch, including a successful flotation and the redevelopment of Franklin's Gardens to become one of the best rugby union stadiums in the country.
As Chief Executive of UK Sport he has played a leading role in the development of the UK high performance system, including overseeing the development of the most successful Olympic Games performance in modern times in Beijing as well as working closely with the London Organising Committee to ensure London is ready to host the 2012 Games.
He has also driven the development of funding for Olympic and Paralympic sport from both the public and private sector, including securing an additional £300million from the Government and developing new commercial relationships with major sponsors to ensure record levels of funding for athletes ahead of the Games.
Steele will join the RFU in the autumn subject to working his notice period with UK Sport and a date will be confirmed nearer the time. In the meantime, Francis Baron leaves on 4th July after the RFU Annual General Meeting.
Martyn Thomas, Chairman of the RFU Management Board, commented, "We are confident that we have captured the best person for the role of CEO at the RFU.
Throughout the interview John greatly impressed us with his style, knowledge and capabilities across a broad range of areas.
Nobody was able to match his unique combination of a background in and knowledge of rugby and a high profile administrative role in sport.
We fully believe he is the right man to take the RFU forward in its next stage of growth as we prepared to host the Rugby World Cup in 2015 and for the legacy beyond that."
John Steele commented, "I am delighted to be taking up the role of Chief Executive at the RFU, and looking forward to what I know will be a big challenge in the sport that I am immensely passionate about.
The next five years will be hugely exciting times for English rugby, culminating in a home World Cup in 2015. During this time I will be totally committed to ensuring a legacy is created from the World Cup at both a community and elite level, whilst building on the sound commercial base already created at Twickenham.
"The decision to move on was an incredibly difficult one. I am extremely proud of UK Sport for what it has achieved over the past few years, and what I am sure it will go on to achieve.
It has a vital role to play not just in ensuring our athletes' success in London 2012 but also helping to shape the future of the sporting landscape in the UK.
I know that I leave it not only in safe hands but full of talented, experienced and committed people whom it has been a pleasure to lead."
Brief John Steele CV
2005-current Chief Executive of UK Sport
2002-2005 Executive Director at Northampton Saints
1999-2002 Director of Rugby at Northampton Saints
1995-1999 Director of Rugby at London Scottish
1988-1995 Player at Northampton Saints and England A
1989-1995 Chartered Surveyor in commercial property development and agency
1983-1989 Royal Artillery officer and Captain Combined Services Rugby Team
John was educated at Perse School, Cambridge, Royal Agricultural College Cirencester and Royal Military Academy Sandhurst and lives in Bedfordshire with his wife and twin daughters.
