Tennis chief Ritchie is new boss at RFU

FROM new balls to new broom, Ian Ritchie has been appointed as the new chief executive of the Rugby Football Union after six years in charge of the All England Club.

Ritchie’s recruitment was rubber-stamped by the RFU management board yesterday and he will move to Twickenham after serving out his notice period at Wimbledon.

The RFU has been in a state of turmoil since John Steele was ousted as chief executive in June. Ritchie’s task will be to lead the RFU out of a traumatic year and towards England’s hosting of the 2015 World Cup.

“I believe English rugby has a very bright future, culminating in a once-in-a-lifetime home World Cup in 2015,” Ritchie said. “I am determined to help rugby create a legacy from the tournament.

“The RFU has great commercial partners and a very sound financial base, underpinning the development of rugby union at grassroots and elite level.”

Ritchie was identified as the “standout candidate” from the RFU’s shortlist, with the interview panel impressed by his experience in business, leadership and sports administration.

The 58-year-old Yorkshireman is a non-executive director of the Football League, which he represents on the Football Association council, and a director of Wembley Stadium.

Ritchie has previously held chief executive posts with Channel Five and Middle East Broadcasting. He was vice president of global business at the Associated Press before taking over at Wimbledon in 2005.

“Ian clearly demonstrated the required knowledge and capabilities across a broad range of areas,” Ian Metcalfe, who chaired the recruitment panel, said. “He was the standout candidate with his combination of business acumen, leadership qualities and background in sports administration. We could not have wished for a better candidate who is so highly respected across sport and the business sectors.”

Ritchie will inherit a strong business that has just posted record profits, although it will make a projected £11million loss this year due to the impact of the 2011 World Cup.

He will be the fourth RFU chief executive in the space of a year.