Scottish Rugby Chief Executive Mark Dodson has announced his decision to step down from the role in the summer of 2024.
Dodson, who was appointed in September 2011, previously had his contract extended in June 2022, with unanimous agreement of the then Board, through to summer 2025.
With a revised Governance structure now in place, a new Scottish Rugby Limited Chair appointed and work progressing on the organisation’s 10-year strategy Dodson decided the time was right to step aside early.
The timing aligns with the start of the new rugby world cup cycle and also provides clarity for applicants as recruitment processes to appoint a new Chief Executive and Performance Director get underway.
Scottish Rugby CEO Mark Dodson said: “I’ve been reflecting post the 2023 World Cup and felt it was the right time to bring my Scottish Rugby role to a close and begin looking forward to the next chapter in my career.
“With several key organisational elements now in place such as the new governance structure becoming operational, working closely with the new Scottish Rugby Limited Board Chair John McGuigan and our national and professional teams settled I felt it was only right to make my intentions known.
“As work progresses on our new 10-year strategy and given I wasn’t going to be in post to see it delivered beyond 2025 I think it’s right and appropriate to give space for the new CEO to come in and take that important work forward.
“I’ve hugely enjoyed my time with Scottish Rugby so far and remain fully committed to our objectives in the coming months. Being Chief Executive of this great organisation for 13 years has been a privilege.”
Chair of Scottish Rugby Limited, John McGuigan said: “Mark has given over a decade of his career to Scottish Rugby so it is understandable that this was a significant decision.
“It will though enable us to progress the recruitment for the new Performance Director and his own successor as Chief Executive in an open and transparent manner and for that I’d like to thank him.
“Mark has made a significant contribution to Scottish Rugby during his tenure including navigating the Covid pandemic. I’d like to thank him personally for working with me and welcoming me into Scottish Rugby.
“The SRL Board and I will continue to draw on Mark’s extensive knowledge and expertise in the coming months until a date for Mark’s departure, which will be over the summer, is agreed.”
Dodson joined Scottish Rugby from the Guardian Media Group on the eve of the 2011 Rugby World Cup in New Zealand.
He currently represents Scotland on the international rugby stage where he is an experienced and respected voice on the Boards of British and Irish Lions, Six Nations, United Rugby Championship and on the World Rugby Council and General Assembly of EPCR.
Dodson also sits on the Finance, Audit and Risk and Professional Game committees at World Rugby and has been a key contributor to the recent global calendar development and subsequent Nations Cup agreement.
Y0dler
The highest-scoring Rugby World Cup match occurred in 1995 when New Zealand defeated Japan 145-17, setting a record for the most points scored by a single team in a World Cup match.
Bliss
The Rugby World Cup 1995 was held in South Africa: South Africans take a lot of pride in their rugby team, popularly called ‘The Springsbook.’ As the FIFA World Cup, South Africa was the first African country to host the Rugby World Cup tournament in 1995. The event became more successful as South Africa won the finale against New Zealand. The team was incredible enough to win the IRB Rugby World Cup two more times in 2007 and again in 2019.