Nic Cartwright steps down as Edinburgh chief

EDINBURGH chief executive Nic Cartwright is leaving his post to pursue a career in sports management in America.

The club announced his departure yesterday. He had taken a cut in salary, believed to equate to around one-third, in July last year after the SRU's chief executive Gordon McKie decided to reclaim some of their commercial responsibility and take it in-house. Ian Riddoch, the chief executive appointed at Glasgow in 2007 – the same time Cartwright came to Edinburgh from Harlequins rugby league club – walked away from the deal and while Cartwright agreed to stay on, his role had been changed significantly and so it comes as no surprise that he has followed Riddoch.

Cartwright declined to return calls yesterday, but in an SRU press release he stated: "My wife is American and I've always dreamed of working there. I have enjoyed my time with Edinburgh.

"It's been a privilege to work with so many talented individuals both with Edinburgh and with Scottish Rugby (the SRU] but I believe the time is right now to move on. I am proud of what has been achieved both on and off the pitch in the last three years. I genuinely believe we can continue to make progress at Edinburgh and I will always take a keen interest in the club's form and results.

"Even this season we won three out of three home ties in the Heineken Cup and were the top try scorers in the Magners League. Off the pitch we are attracting more supporters, we have renewed our sponsorship deal with Aberdeen Asset Management on improved terms and we are increasing our season ticket holders year on year.

"I wish to thank our sponsors and supporters for their faith in Edinburgh, and the support they have given to me and the club and most of all I want to thank all the players, coaches and staff for all their efforts."

McKie added: "I would like to record my appreciation for all Nic's hard work with Edinburgh over the past three years. He has led the club to some notable successes both on and off the pitch and he leaves with our good wishes."

The press release concluded: "An announcement on Nic Cartwright's successor will be made in due course."

At Glasgow, Kenny Baillie has taken the reins and is looking forward to developing his team's potential when they move into their new Scotstoun headquarters next month. But while Edinburgh may seek a similarly driven individual to move the club forward, what calibre of person the SRU can realistically attract when McKie and his executive board insist on retaining so much control over the running of the team, and with very tight finances, remains questionable.