Mark Darbon Appointed as New R&A Chief Executive, Replacing Martin Slumbers!
The R&A has officially announced Mark Darbon as the new chief executive and secretary of the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews, succeeding Martin Slumbers. Darbon, 45, steps into this prestigious role after an accomplished tenure as CEO of the Northampton Saints, a Premiership Rugby club that recently clinched its first title since 2014.
Slumbers, who declared in January that he would be stepping down by the year’s end, concludes a notable nine-year period at the helm of the R&A. His leadership has been instrumental in shaping the organization’s vision and direction during his tenure.
Mark Darbon conveyed his excitement and privilege upon receiving the appointment, declaring that engaging in golf – a sport he has long cherished – as well as occupying these positions with the R&A and The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews fill him with immense delight and honor.
The R&A is a widely recognized entity that strives to aid in the growth of golf, from amateur level all the way up to professional play. Collaborating with an immensely skilled team of personnel, club members and various noteworthy partners fills me with anticipation for achieving greater triumphs in forthcoming years.
Mark Darbon brings a wealth of experience to his new role. Prior to his successful leadership at Northampton, he was a senior member of the London Organizing Committee for the 2012 Olympics and Paralympics.
Following this, he served as an expert adviser to the International Olympic Committee from 2013 to 2018. His diverse career also includes roles as senior vice president of Tough Mudder and CEO of Madison Sports Group, where he helped establish an international series for professional track cycling.
Niall Farquharson, chairman of the R&A, highlighted Darbon’s impressive background and capabilities, saying, “We were greatly impressed with Mark’s knowledge and experience of the global sport industry and his ability to develop successful teams and deliver fantastic events. We believe he will be an excellent leader for the R&A and the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews will play a key role in helping us to achieve our goal of ensuring a prosperous and sustainable future for golf.”
The appointment of Mark Darbon represents a fresh start for the R&A, as they pursue their goal to encourage and maintain global golfing expansion. His experience in rugby and administration across various sports, coupled with his love for golf and strategic proficiency, places him as an energetic pioneer prepared to propel the R&A onward.
As Darbon readies himself to spearhead one of the most significant bodies in golf, there is a palpable sense of excitement within the community for the enhancements and advancements he will introduce to the sport. With his impressive history of achievements across different athletic domains, it’s clear that an exciting future awaits both R&A and the world golfing scene as a whole.
