RFL appoint interim CEO as they seek permanent Ralph Rimmer successor
Photo: Allan McKenzie/SWpix
Tony Sutton will act as the interim chief executive of the RFL until the governing body appoints a permanent successor to Ralph Rimmer.
The move was confirmed at today’s meeting of the Rugby League Council. Sutton will take up the interim position from Monday, December 12.
Sutton has been the RFL’s chief operating officer since January 2019. He joined the governing body as director as director of finance and facilities in January 2017.
His previous roles include 30 months as the group finance director of Hull College Group, and before that 13 years with Hull FC.
Robert Hicks, the RFL’s director of operations and legal, will act as interim company secretary from the same date, ahead of the departure of Karen Moorhouse.
In September, Rimmer and Moorhouse announced they would be leaving the RFL at the end of 2022.
RFL chair on Tony Sutton appointment
Simon Johnson, the RFL chair, said: “This gives the organisation the stability and continuity that it requires whilst we complete the search process for the new permanent CEO of the RFL – which will be followed by the permanent company secretary appointment; as well as the second executive board appointment (in addition to the CEO) to the RFL board.”
The Council meeting also confirmed the appointment of Dr Cherrie Daley to the RFL board as non-executive director.
Sir Lindsay Hoyle, the speaker of the House of Commons and the MP for Chorley, will become the 31st president of the RFL.
Hoyle will take over the presidency role from Clare Balding, who held the honorary position since July 2020.
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