John Steele leaving UK Sport to become new Chief Executive of the RFU
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John Steele
Sarah Winterflood
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UK Sport 09 June 2010
It has been announced today that John Steele is leaving UK Sport to become the new Chief Executive of the Rugby Football Union. He will be leaving UK Sport in late July.
Baroness Sue Campbell, Chair of UK Sport, said: “While we are all very sad to see John go, we are also very proud that he has got what for him is the job of a lifetime. As a rugby man it was too good for him to turn down, and he leaves with the best wishes of everyone at UK Sport.
“Since joining five years ago, John has made a terrific impact at UK Sport and has led the organisation to a place where it is respected both in the UK and internationally for its leadership in performance sport. That he has been able to move on to one of the most high profile CEO roles in British sport speaks volumes I think not just for him but also the reputation and credibility of the organisation as a whole.
“I would like to place on record my personal thanks for his incredible passion, loyalty and support over the past five years and to wish him well in what will be a challenging but hugely rewarding new role”.
John joined UK Sport in June 2005. Prior to that he was a successful player, coach and Executive Director at Northampton Saints Rugby Football Club, including as coach guiding the club to Heineken Cup success in 2000.
He said: “I am delighted to be taking up the role of Chief Executive at the RFU, and am very much looking forward to what I know will be a big challenge in the sport that I am immensely passionate about.
“The next five years will be hugely exciting times for English rugby, culminating in a home World Cup in 2015. During this time I will be totally committed to ensuring a legacy is created from the World Cup at both a community and elite level, whilst building on the sound commercial basis already created at Twickenham.
“The decision to move on was an incredibly difficult one. I am extremely proud of UK Sport and what it has achieved over the past few years, and what I am sure it will go on to achieve. It has a vital role to play not just in ensuring our athletes’ success in London 2012 but also helping to shape the future of the sporting landscape in the UK. I know that I leave it not only in safe hands but full of talented, experienced and committed people whom it has been a pleasure to lead.”
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