St Helens appoint new chief exec

[bartman]

McGuire gone immediately, to be replaced by Gillette man... from http://www.saintsrlfc.com/ today.

St Helens Rugby League Club have announced that their Chief Executive
Sean McGuire has decided not to renew his contract which expires this
year and that current director Tony Colquitt will assume the role with
immediate effect. Due to existing commitments, Tony will initially
assume the role on a consultancy basis.

Tony Colquitt's background, within senior commercial and marketing roles
with major global companies such as Gillette, make him ideally placed to
drive the Club forward. Tony has also played a major role in developing
Gillette's partnership within rugby league both in the UK and Australia,
and has excellent contacts at local, national and global levels within
the game. Tony is from St Helens and has been a lifelong Saints
supporter.

McGuire commented, 'My time at the Saints has been a truly great
experience. I have a number of exciting career opportunities elsewhere
to consider. It seems to be a natural time for me to pursue new
challenges and I consider an early statement of my intentions will
ensure a smooth transition. I wish the Club every success in the future
and will continue my lifelong support'.

Club Chairman, Eamonn McManus, added, 'On behalf of all at the Club, I
would like to sincerely thank Sean for his efforts and real achievements
in recent years. The Club now has much stronger foundations upon which
to continue its success than was the case four years ago when Sean
assumed his role. The Club wishes him every success for the future. Tony
is ideally qualified to assume the reins and further strengthen the
Club's business. I very much look forward to working with him'.

Of course this comes after St Helens had sought to quash rumours to a similar effect less than three weeks ago on 4 April...

St Helens Chairman, Eamonn McManus, has denied rumours that Chief
Executive, Sean McGuire, has resigned from his position. McManus added,
"Sean is in the final year of his five year contract and discussions are
taking place as to its possible renewal. Sean is very much still the
Chief Executive of the Club.

So he's gone before contract is up, and before the replacement is ready to step in full time? Yet believes his early statement of intention (actually vacating the role?) will aid a smooth transition... interesting.