Scottish Rugby CEO Mark Dodson signs deal to 2020

 Scottish Rugby Chief Executive Mark Dodson has signed a new five-year contract which will see him lead the organisation through the next Rugby World Cup cycle until 2020.The Scottish Rugby Union Board extended Dodson’s tenure at BT Murrayfield to build on the commercial and operational success achieved since his appointment in September 2011.The new contract reflects the on-going financial growth Scottish Rugby has achieved through attracting significant blue-chip clients such as BT, RBS and Macron, as well as generating revenues through ticket sales and events.Dodson has also focussed on strengthening Scotland’s two professional teams to generate stronger playing depth for the national side. This recently saw Edinburgh become the first Scottish team to reach a European Final in May 2015 and Glasgow Warriors winning the GUINNESS Pro12 title for the first time a month later.He was also instrumental in recruiting Scotland Head Coach Vern Cotter from Clermont Auvergne, following the resignation of Andy Robinson in November 2012.The past four years has also seen a proactive drive to establish clear pathways for young Scottish players through the creation of the BT Scottish Rugby Academies, coaching programmes at every level, a new women’s rugby programme and a rise in financial support for clubs, brought to fruition through the establishment of the Club Sustainability Fund which has earmarked£1.6m for club development over a four-year cycle.In his Chief Executive role Dodson also successfully negotiated on the Union’s behalf to ensure the new European Champions Cup and European Challenge Cup structures would continue to include and benefit Scotland as one of the Celtic nations.He is also a member of the British & Irish Lions board and one of Scotland’s two representatives on the World Rugby Council and Six Nations Council.Scottish Rugby’s Chairman Sir Moir Lockhead said: The Board was very clear it wanted Mark to continue to build on the strong foundations he has established since his arrival. He has successfully steered Scottish Rugby into a positive commercial and operational position and led his team of senior managers with confidence and clarity of direction.As we know sport does not stand still so while there is still a lot of work to do we feel he is the right man to lead the organisation through the next phase of our growth, which will further see the integration of our policy initiatives into the fabric of the game.”Speaking on his contract extension Mark Dodson said: I would like to thank the Board for this endorsement and I’m excited by the prospect of leading Scottish Rugby for the next five years, beyond the 2019 Rugby World Cup.We have a great team here working hard to improve Scottish Rugby at every level. I feel we have made significant strides in key areas of the business.We have stronger professional clubs, strong financial growth, a strong voice for Scotland on the European and World stage. I am committed to providing a winning environment for every club in Scotland and ensuring we continue to deliver our policy initiatives to the benefit of every level of the game.”Former Scotland International Andy Irvine said: I’ve been hugely impressed by the progress Scottish Rugby has made under Mark’s leadership. He has tackled some of the Union’s biggest challenges such as securing financial stability, supporting domestic clubs and establishing an Academy programme head-on and the results are now there to see.The strategy to support the professional teams has also reaped dividends and he can take a lot of credit for the improved position Scottish Rugby now finds itself in.He has also played a vital role in representing Scotland on the European and World rugby stage and I’m confident we will see continued progress for the sport in Scotland over the next five years.