New Rugby Football League chief executive officer Tony Sutton says he “relishes” the challenges ahead for the sport.
He has been acting as interim CEO for the last three months following the departure of Ralph Rimmer in December. But the ex-Hull FC chief operating officer was today confirmed as his successor. It is the third successive time since 2007 that the governing body has decided to promote from within for its highest-ranked role with Nigel Wood and Rimmer previously in charge.
As the sport embarks on a new era under IMG, many had expected a fresh face to lead. But the RFL say Sutton, 49, came out on top after a ‘comprehensive’ search process was led by Perrett Laver, the international executive recruitment specialists, and candidates from around the world and the wider sports industry were assessed by a panel involving club CEOs, partners from Sport England, and the media. Hull-born Sutton has been with the RFL since January 2017 when he was appointed Director of Finance and Facilities, becoming Chief Operating Officer two years later.
He said: “This is a pivotal and exciting time for the sport of Rugby League, and I am immensely proud and privileged to have been given the opportunity to lead the RFL. I was new to Rugby League when I joined Hull FC, but the best part of 14 years at the club left a deep impression on me – in terms of the importance of our clubs to their fans and the communities in which they are rooted, and in the brilliance, athleticism and humility of the players who deliver such a thrilling spectacle.
“In six years with the RFL, I have seen first-hand the level of commitment delivered by some incredible people, now including RL Commercial. We relish the challenges ahead, working with our strategic partners at IMG, our clubs, our broadcast and commercial partners and our many other stakeholders - with a focus on looking after our people and the sport’s participants, maximising our Reimagining Rugby League project and continuing to deliver our community strategy, to make our sport as inclusive, accessible and engaging as possible.”
Sutton will become an executive member of the RFL Board, joining the Non-Executive Directors Sandy Lindsay MBE, Dr Rimla Akhtar OBE, Dr Cherrie Daley and chair Simon Johnson, the Chair. Johnson added: “Tony has made a highly positive impact in the months since he was appointed interim CEO, and from our angle has really grown into the role, with a distinctive and different style.
“He has impressed everyone with his ambition, passion and commitment to creating the right culture for high performance at the RFL. He was already well-respected by staff, clubs, partners and other stakeholders, as a result of his work as Director of Finance and Facilities and since 2019 as Chief Operating Officer. Tony played a key role in the strategic realignment of the sport, as well as developing the relationship with IMG as our partner. He will be able to use those relationships and learnings to drive the sport forward at this exciting time.”
