Paul Sergeant Leaves as Cheif Executive of the Scarlets

PAUL SERGEANT LEAVES AS CHIEF EXECUTIVE OF THE SCARLETS
by Jonathan Williams on Thu 24 Jun 2010 10:09 AM BST
The Scarlets have announced today (Thursday 24th June) that their Chief Executive, Paul Sergeant will be moving on to take up a leading role in a UK-based business, details of which are currently confidential.

 

Sergeant, who has run major stadium and events businesses including the Millennium Stadium and Wembley joined the Scarlets in August 2009 from Australia where he was General Manager of the Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane.

He was appointed by the Scarlets board last summer to the helm of the rugby region, with an agreement to deliver on specific business requirements during the Scarlets 2009/2010 season.

His planned departure this summer, follows a year where the experienced Chief Executive used his expertise in global stadium operations and events management to establish strong systems within the Scarlets business, help shape and rationalise the region’s business plan and set the business on course for growth and development.

Widely praised by both rugby supporters and stakeholders in the region for his hands-on and open approach, Sergeant has been a big influence in the off-field operations of the business over the past season and has help engage and strengthen connections with Scarlets supporters.

He said: “I was only ever going to be with the Scarlets for a defined period of time which was agreed when I accepted the role as Chief Executive and it has been a job I have thoroughly enjoyed and got a lot out of. I think we’ve achieved some important landmarks this season. There are still some key things I need to pursue in my career and the region has been happy to support me with that stance that since I joined.

“I was given a clear remit by the board when I joined to use my broad experience to help manage the business and set-up clear and efficient systems for the running of a great stadium at Parc y Scarlets. In doing so, we have now created a popular Supporters Village and improved the match day experience, service and communication with our many thousands of customers, who have been great to meet and work with.

“The past year has been about putting solid building blocks in place to help manage finances and establish a robust business plan for the region. It now has a stable basis for future growth and development and with this work done, it is time for me to move on. It is a great rugby region, the people who support and work within it are loyal and committed and I know it will go from strength-to-strength. Everything I have done since I joined has been about helping the Scarlets move forward and what I’ve done has been in the best interests of the region and its great supporters.”

Scarlets Chairman Huw Evans said: “Paul has had a significant role to play over the past season at the Scarlets in helping align our business for future development and success. His skills set and expertise in running successful stadium operations and events across the globe was called upon at a time when we needed to rationalise our business further, set-up some stringent systems and help smooth the running of Parc y Scarlets both on match and non-match days.

“His contribution has been crucial at a key time within our new home and we are grateful to him for the energy and commitment he has given us over the past year. He has helped define the role of CEO at the Scarlets, established a strong management team and because of his planned departure, the hand-over to his successor will be seamless.”

On the timing of his departure Paul Sergeant added: “I have asked the board to leave a few weeks early at the start of the summer because I want to take some time out with my family before I start my next role. The job at the Scarlets has been an all-consuming one and rightly so, and I am grateful to the funding directors at the Scarlets for agreeing to release me early.

“I would also like to pay tribute to the great management team I have worked with – Nigel and Gareth on the rugby side and Rupert Moon, Jon Daniels and Huw Davies who continue to work hard to make this region what it is now and I am confident will continue to take the Scarlets region forward successfully.

“I will be keeping in touch with the Scarlets and I’ll be buying tickets for me and the family for next season to continue to support and watch the team, and I look forward to seeing the likes of Ken, Jon, Tavis, Rob and other Scarlets young guns making even more of an impression next season.”

The Scarlets board has appointed Paul’s successor and the new Chief Executive will take up the reins at the Scarlets in late July.

The new CEO will be Welshman Mark Davies (48), previously Head of Honda Motorcycles in Europe, who was born in Aberdare. Davies attended Aberdare Grammar School, is an Engineering graduate, starting his career in the motor industry at Peugeot before moving to Honda UK in 1990. He has spent 20 years with Honda, undertaking top-level general management roles, running both Honda’s UK car and motorcycle businesses. He then progressed to his current role heading up Honda’s European motorcycle business – a market leader across 27 countries.

Huw Evans, chairman of the Scarlets said: “In Mark we have a proven leader and business developer. He’s a good communicator, has led businesses in the UK and Europe and has strong corporate marketing and sales experience – working within a very competitive industry and a performance-driven business.

“He’s reached a point in his career when he clearly wanted to come back to roots with his family and was keen to use his experience in a role that allowed him to have a valuable input back in Wales. We are delighted with his appointment and look forward to welcoming him to Parc y Scarlets and introducing him to everyone connected with our region in late July.”

Davies, a keen motorcyclist and passionate Welsh rugby supporter is married with two children and currently living in Hampshire. He will move to Carmarthenshire over the summer. Mark’s 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.

On his successor, Paul Sergeant said: “I have enjoyed my time with the Scarlets, met some fantastic supporters who have taught me a lot and I hope that over the past year I have brought in some initiatives that have helped turned the region around and point it in the right direction. This is a business that is on a journey and it’s just beginning.

“There is still a lot of work to be done. But in handing the baton over to a CEO of the calibre and track-record of Mark Davies, who has a new skills set to offer – the next stage will be taken forward by a strong commercial leader. I wish him well and having worked with him closely over the past few weeks on the transition I’m convinced he will be a valuable addition to the Scarlets team and family next season and beyond.”