Alex Williamson Appointed as Scottish Rugby’s New Chief Executive

Scottish Rugby has appointed Alex Williamson as its new chief executive, filling a crucial leadership role after a lengthy search following the departure of long-serving CEO Mark Dodson. Williamson, a seasoned executive with a diverse background in finance and business leadership, is expected to take up his post before Christmas, although his official start may be delayed until February.

Williamson’s appointment concludes a process that began in January, when it was announced that Dodson would step down after 13 years at the helm. The search for a successor encountered challenges, most notably when Mark Darbon, previously considered the frontrunner for the role, unexpectedly chose to lead the R&A instead, leaving Scottish Rugby surprised by his late change of heart.

Williamson brings extensive experience to the role, having held senior positions in finance and business management across a variety of industries. After starting his career as a senior auditor for Ernst & Young, he worked as a business analyst for Warner Music and a financial controller for EMAP in England’s northeast. His subsequent leadership roles included time at TUI, before serving as chief executive of the prestigious Goodwood Group, where he oversaw operations at one of England’s most renowned sporting estates.

In 2017, Williamson became the CEO of House of Fraser, but his tenure ended after Mike Ashley’s Sports Direct acquired the company and restructured the management team. Since 2019, he has been the chief executive of Inspiring Learning, the UK’s largest provider of adventure camps for children.

Excited about his new role at Scottish Rugby, Williamson expressed optimism for the future of the sport in Scotland. “There are many opportunities ahead and I see no reason why Scotland cannot continue to be a positive force in the world game and within the wider sporting community," he said. "I cannot wait to get to Edinburgh and crack on."

Williamson's arrival comes at a challenging time for Scottish Rugby. The organisation is facing financial strain, with projected losses of £10.6 million this year. In addition to Williamson’s appointment, David Nucifora, former performance director for Ireland, will join the team this autumn in an advisory capacity on a two-year contract.

On the field, Scotland has a busy schedule ahead, with fixtures against Fiji, world champions South Africa, Portugal, and Australia in November. The national side will kick off their 2024 Six Nations campaign in February with a home game against Italy.

With his wealth of leadership experience and strategic expertise, Williamson is seen as a pivotal figure in guiding Scottish Rugby through this transitional phase and driving its future success on both the domestic and international stage.