Rugby Australia Board appoints Hattonneale for CEO search

The Rugby Australia Board has today appointed leading executive and board search firm, Hattonneale to conduct the search for its next Chief Executive.

The Australian-owned, Sydney-based firm has search experience across a diverse range of industry sectors including sports and entertainment, financial services, media and technology, professional services, property and infrastructure, and tourism.

Hattonneale has a strong track record in the appointment of Executives and Non-Executive Directors across a wide range of ASX-listed, privately owned and private equity backed growth companies. The firm has placed Executives and Non-Executive Directors at leading sports organisations including the NSW Rugby Union, Melbourne Rebels, Cricket Australia and V8 Supercars, as well as entertainment brands the Nine Network and Disney.

The search will be led by Hattonneale Managing Director, Jane Neale and Ian Smith.

Incoming Rugby Australia Chairman, Hamish McLennan said: “The Board is pleased to appoint Hattonneale to lead the search for the next Chief Executive of Rugby Australia.

“This is one of the premier sports administration roles in the country and we are looking for an individual with strong commercial acumen and the ability to innovate and work with our Member Unions to take the organisation and the game to the next level.

“Hattonneale have a strong track record in delivering quality executives to some of the largest and most successful organisations here and in New Zealand, and have worked with a number of organisations in Rugby and across a range of other major sports.

“A Board committee will be established where I will work alongside Pip Marlow, Dan Herbert, and Phil Waugh to run a full and proper process on behalf of the Board in accordance with good governance.

“It is vitally important, now more than ever, that we leave no stone unturned to find the right person to lead Rugby Australia as we begin the process of rebuilding the game in a post-pandemic world.”

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