Mark Darbon has been appointed Chief Executive of The R&A and secretary of The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews.
Northampton
Saints chief executive Mark Darbon is to step down in November after
over seven years to take on a similar role in charge of The R&A.
The 45-year-old will replace Martin Slumbers, who announced after overseeing this year's Open Championship at Royal Troon and AIG Women's Open at St Andrews.
"Leading
The R&A as their chief executive is a fantastic opportunity for
Mark, and we wish him and his family the very best up in Scotland," said
Saints chairman John White.
"Given
Mark’s calibre and his capability as a leader, it was inevitable that
one day he would be approached to take on a leading role within one of
the most reputable sporting organisations in the world – so this move,
while disappointing for the club, is not surprising and we have planned
for this moment.
"I’ve
enjoyed every minute working with him, he deserves this opportunity, and
I have no doubt that he will have a huge impact at The R&A and
bring that organisation the same success as he has here at Saints."
Darbon
was head of pre-Games events for the London Olympics from November 2020
to May 2012 and was then in charge of operations at the Olympic Park
itself.
Under
Boyd, they won the Premiership Rugby Cup in 2018-19, with his eventual
successor Phil Dowson, working alongside him as an assistant coach.
BBC Sport
