Mark Dodson to step down from Scottish Rugby chief executive role

Scottish Rugby has announced that Mark Dodson is to leave his post as chief executive later this year.

Dodson will leave Murrayfield in the summer after 13 years in the key role and says that it’s “the right time” to move on from the organisation.

The businessman’s existing contract runs until 2025 but, after a new chair was appointed and with a 10-year strategy in place, Scottish Rugby said Dodson’s departure was timed to the start of a new Rugby World Cup cycle and to allow a clear recruitment process for his replacement.

Dodson said: “I’ve been reflecting post the 2023 World Cup and felt it was the right time to bring my Scottish Rugby role to a close and begin looking forward to the next chapter in my career.

“With several key organisational elements now in place such as the new governance structure becoming operational, working closely with the new Scottish Rugby Limited Board Chair John McGuigan and our national and professional teams settled I felt it was only right to make my intentions known.

“As work progresses on our new 10-year strategy and given I wasn’t going to be in post to see it delivered beyond 2025 I think it’s right and appropriate to give space for the new CEO to come in and take that important work forward.

“I’ve hugely enjoyed my time with Scottish Rugby so far and remain fully committed to our objectives in the coming months. Being Chief Executive of this great organisation for 13 years has been a privilege.”

Chair of Scottish Rugby Limited, John McGuigan said: “Mark has given over a decade of his career to Scottish Rugby so it is understandable that this was a significant decision.

“It will though enable us to progress the recruitment for the new Performance Director and his own successor as Chief Executive in an open and transparent manner and for that I’d like to thank him.

“Mark has made a significant contribution to Scottish Rugby during his tenure including navigating the Covid pandemic. I’d like to thank him personally for working with me and welcoming me into Scottish Rugby.

“The SRL Board and I will continue to draw on Mark’s extensive knowledge and expertise in the coming months until a date for Mark’s departure, which will be over the summer, is agreed.”