Scarlets welcome arrival of new Chief Executive

SCARLETS WELCOME ARRIVAL OF NEW CHIEF EXECUTIVE

The Scarlets new Chief Executive Mark Davies has taken up his role at the region this week with the message that he’s come back to Wales to contribute at the heart of one Wales’ most passionate rugby communities.

 Davies has joined the Scarlets after 20 years with Honda heading up both of its UK car and motorbike businesses – his most recent role as head of Honda Motorcycles in Europe.

 Born in Aberdare, Mark Davies said:  “I’ve been with a major multinational for 20 years and was only going to leave a role like that for something that had a unique attraction and would mean a great deal to me personally and professionally.  

 “What the Scarlets are doing in terms of retaining and developing Welsh talent from within the region strikes a cord with me and having had a good look at the business, I can see it’s going in the right direction.  There is a way to go yet and it will be my job to pull it altogether, focus on our strengths, what makes us unique and use my experience to ensure this rugby business remains sustainable and progresses to the next level.

 “For me, this role presented me an opportunity and a challenge that doesn’t come along very often.  As a proud Welshman, this has to be one of the most exciting and testing jobs around – rugby is a big passion here and if the core of Welsh pride is in Welsh rugby, then the heart and soul of Welsh rugby is the Scarlets.

 “Growing up the spirit and unique passion of Scarlets rugby was undoubtedly an inspiration for a boy from Aberdare. I’ve now got the opportunity to be part of to be part of this great rugby community and help drive its business forward and that’s something I am really looking forward to.

 “I’ve wanted to come home to Wales with my family and give my children the opportunity to belong that they have craved. It had to be for the right job where I felt I was able to make a genuine contribution to life in Wales from the experiences I have gained across the world.”

 Mark Davies has held sales, marketing and strategic business development roles within the highly competitive global motor industry and comes from what he describes as a “focused, dynamic and results-driven business.”

 He added: “Where the Scarlets are in terms of their transition, was also a factor in me taking up this job.  It’s a chance to part of something that is changing for the better with strong values and beliefs and a rich heritage, invaluable for any sports club or business.

 “The progress that has been made over the past 12 months is illustrated by the fact that almost 20% more supporters have already invested in Scarlets season tickets, with four weeks to go until the start of the season and in a tough economic environment.

 “The future is encouraging and this region’s rugby development ethos is working and producing results for the Scarlets and Welsh rugby.

“We’re lucky to have an incredibly committed and passionate group of Funding Directors who are right behind this region and will continue to support this business during the next stage in its development. It’s clear that they believe intensely in the values, philosophy and direction that the Scarlets stand for and the tremendous potential that exists within this region.”

 Davies joined the region formally last week and has met with staff and players at the Scarlets as well as partners, sponsors and the region’s supporters.  He says his philosophy is to bring teams together and get the best out of them.

 “From what I can see there are plenty of people working hard with conviction and passion and there is a quiet and realistic determination here to make things happen.

 “There is a lot to do, but also plenty to be optimistic about. We have a great stadium and a remarkable set of facilities that simply needs to work more than the 16 days a year that the Scarlets are playing at home.

“But with almost 1000 new season ticket holders joining us already this summer, the whole team must be on the right track and wonderful innovations like the indoor Supporters Village are providing a customer experience which means that a day-out at the Scarlets is something to really look forward to for all the family.” 

Mark Davies is a keen motorcyclist and passionate Welsh rugby supporter is married with two children and will be living in Carmarthenshire (Burry Port).

His links with Welsh rugby include supporting the launch of the Honda sponsored WRFIPA Hall of Fame. The Welsh Rugby Former International Players Association (WRFIPA) is a charitable organisation created to support Welsh international rugby players and their families in hardship, poverty and through injury or other illnesses. Honda continues to work as a loyal partner, backing the Hall of Fame as a project at the heart of Welsh Rugby which pays tribute and supports some of the true heroes of the national sport. 

ENDS

Mark Davies – Biography

Age:  48

Married with two children, Georgia Megan (13) and Owain Gwyn (11).

Living: Burry Port

20 years experience with Honda Motorcycles and Honda Cars – UK and Europe business roles.

Born: Aberdare

Educated: Aberdare Boys Grammar School.  Coventry Lancaster Polytechnic (Combined Engineering Studies BSc Hons).

 

Career: 

• Peugoet Talbot Motor Company – Sales management and Franchise Management
• Honda (UK) Ltd  (1990 – 2007) – Regional Sales management, regional operations, national corporate sales manager, Acting General Manager, Head of Marketing, Head of Sales Operations, General Manager (Car business), General Manager (Motorcycles)
• Honda Motor (Europe) Ltd – General Manager Motorcycles, (MemberExecutivecommitteeEuropeanMotorcycleManufacturerAssociation-ACEM)

 

Achievements / experience

• Creation and implementation of business plans, strategy and organisation to delivery performance in UK car and motorcycles business as National Sales Manager.
• Restructuring of businesses to increase volume, profit and significantly increase market share
• Roles have included detailed strategic work in sponsorship, retail, communications, supply chain management, customer relationship management, systems and process.
• Led change management in both UK and European Motorcycle business.
• Setting 2020 vision for European market motorcycle business and product (circa £150m turnover business)
• Set detailed implementation plans, restructuring of European supply chains, active negotiation with Dept of Transport & European Commission on legislative frameworks for Motorcycles business as part of Transport Policies.