SCOTTISH RUGBY has appointed a new Chief Financial Officer and Board member in Hilary Spence, who joins the governing body from Glasgow based biotech firm Collagen Solutions where she is CFO and UK Managing Director.
Andrew Healy remains Operational Financial Director but is no longer a member of the Board.
Meanwhile, former Scotland team manager and Rugby Operations Director Gav Scott is to replace the retiring Sheila Begbie as Director of Rugby Development.
Edinburgh sign Bristol Bears Academy winger Freddie Owsley
Dominic McKay departure date confirmed as 16th April
Spence will take up her role with Scottish Rugby in the summer. Prior to Collagen Solutions, she was CFO with indoor sports provider Powerleague and before that spent three years at Heineken leading a finance transformation programme.
During her time with Callogen, she helped drive the Group towards profitability and deliver the successful sale and delisting of the Group to a US private company investor in 2020.
“I am incredibly excited and honoured to be joining Scottish Rugby at this exciting time,” she said. “I have been impressed with the vision and drive of the organisation and look forward to building on the strong financial foundations to help enable success on and off the field at all levels of the game in Scotland.”
Scott is a former professional player with Glasgow Warriors, who sat on the bench for Scotland four times without getting on the pitch. After hanging up his boots, he spent 10 years as had analyst for the Scotland national team, and then seven years as team manager, before moving to the Rugby Operations Director role. He has been a volunteer at his local club, Currie Chieftains, for the past 12 years.
“I was attracted by the unique opportunity to work with people in clubs, schools and the Rugby Development department who are passionate, like me, about developing our game in Scotland,” he said.
“I’m excited about supporting the many volunteers who provide great rugby experiences across Scotland and will play an essential role in the continued transformation of the game into a vibrant and inclusive sport, as we hopefully move out of this period of Covid pandemic.
“My previous roles and experiences in the sport have well equipped me to understand how rugby in Scotland works at its numerous levels. I care deeply, as a player, parent and volunteer coach that our sport thrives nationally and look forward to working with the rugby community to achieve that.”
Scottish Rugby Chief Executive Mark Dodson welcomed the appointments. “I am delighted to welcome Hilary to Scottish Rugby and also congratulate Gav on the appointment to his new role,” he said.
“We will continue to develop and reshape the business as we emerge from the Covid-19 pandemic. With a strong financial base and high-quality people, the business is well set for the future.”
Yes, “Yes” appointments I’m sure.
Good news? Dodson haters such as Ron and JW, thoughts on these appointments?
You really are a piece of work Neil. Perhaps go troll somewhere else.
My thoughts are very similar to Dom’s and that you should grow up.
Wow – reassuring to know the new DoRD is passionate about developing the Game! A good start? Hopefully he has more to offer than passion.
Clearly a nice, thoroughly decent lad – albeit an unchallenging presence, an establishment appointee, unlikely to bite the hand that feeds him, or speak out when necessary within the manipulative Murrayfield midden.