General Manager appointed to lead North Wales Development Region

Business leader Sion Jones has been appointed as General Manager – North Wales Development Region.

Jones, who has successfully led marketing businesses in South and North Wales and worked in the sector across the UK, Europe, North America and the Middle East, will take up the post at the Parc Eirias home of newly promoted Principality Premiership side RGC 1404 next month, with a clear mandate to strategically drive the young rugby region forwards, on and particularly, off the field.

Sion was previously Managing Director of Golley Slater, based in Cardiff and earlier in his career worked for McCann Ericsson, one of the world’s leading marketing agencies to further establish his credentials. He will leave his current post as Marketing and Business Director at a North Wales based international marketing communications agency at the end of the month.

WRU Group Chief Executive Martyn Phillips said, “The strategic purpose of the North Wales Development Region is to define North Wales and unite its communities, and the vision, in line with the Welsh Rugby Union strategy is for more people to be involved with rugby, more often, with more enjoyment and success.

“The North Wales Development Region has already made huge strides in the last five years, RGC gaining two promotions in the last three years, building a strong supporter base and participation on the rise throughout the region’s clubs and schools.

“However, with more than one million people in North Wales, there is still scope to build on that and increase those opportunities further. We are confident Sion will drive forward that strategy in conjunction with the WRU Executive Board and the clubs and staff in North Wales. “

Sion, who hails from North Wales and is a dedicated coach of Dinbych Under 14s, the club his father David Wyn Jones and uncle Pete Minshull helped to found 40 years ago, is enthusiastic about his remit.

He said, “I want to build on the successes of the last few years on the field, and off it by engaging further with the community and the network of clubs.

“I hope I can bring a commercial and marketing edge, not just to RGC but across the Development Region.

“I will be supporting Mark Jones and his team to ensure they can achieve the best possible rugby results for the region while developing North Wales players, and we also need to cascade the brand of rugby RGC is now respected for into the clubs so that we get more talent coming into the age grade sides and academy to build for the future.

“With Premiership rugby coming to North Wales, our job is to reach out to our supporters, and engage more potential supporters in what North Wales experience has to offer.

“Having met some of the staff this morning, they are full of ideas about what is needed which is a fantastic place to start. I really can’t wait to meet them again to understand more about what has been done already and how I can support them going forward.

“Being fully involved in a north Wales rugby club, I have a good idea of where we are and I’ve also been lucky to work closely with the WRU in the past on marketing and branding campaigns.

WRU Head of Operations Julie Paterson said, “Sion is a fantastic appointment to take the North Wales Development Region onto the next level, particularly with his business, commercial and marketing background and expertise, along with his first hand experience and understanding of North Wales rugby.  In conjunction with myself, Geraint John and Ryan Jones, Sion is perfectly placed to implement and deliver the Strategic Plan for North Wales agreed by the WRU Board.”