New SRU chairman sets his targets

New Scottish Rugby Board chairman Allan Munro has targeted an end to spiralling debt and a new chief executive as the main priorities after his appointment.

The 57-year-old Edinburgh businessman was unveiled at Murrayfield today and will be joined by non-executive directors Fred McLeod, Tom Inglis and Brian Kennedy on the board.

The Scottish Rugby Union are still looking for a new chief executive after Phil Anderton resigned in the wake of the vote of no confidence in ex-SRU chairman David Mackay earlier this year.

But, with Scottish rugby’s debts soaring to £23m (€33.5m), Munro plans to address the governing body’s financial problems as a matter of urgency.

He is also looking to unveil a new chief executive within days, with interviews for the position due to take place on Friday.

Munro said: “The most important thing is the appointment of a new chief executive and we hope to be in a position next week to make an announcement. That is a very important decision for us.

“Beyond that, it is quite clear that bringing the debt down is very important.

“Also, getting more people playing the game is a very important task and improving the quality of rugby that the national, professional and club sides play is important.

“With that, we have more than enough to get our teeth into.”

SRU president Andy Irvine is also confident of appointing a chief executive to replace Anderton swiftly.

He said: “I am delighted to announce the appointment of Allan Munro as chairman of Scottish Rugby, who, together with the new chief executive officer, whose appointment we expect to make shortly, will lead Scottish Rugby under the new corporate governance arrangements.

“Working with the executive directors, today’s appointees, together with the Scottish Rugby Council appointees, will agree the vision and strategy for Scottish rugby and work closely together to deliver it.

“As president of Scottish rugby, I shall now take a step to one side and essentially assume an ambassadorial role.

“I believe that Scottish rugby now has corporate governance which will stand the test of comparison with any sporting organisation.

“This is a defining moment for Scottish rugby and I know that its future, through the appointments we are making today, is in very capable and safe hands.”

But Munro also believes that, despite rugby sevens not being included as an event in the 2012 Olympic Games in London, the SRU can still benefit from the successful bid.

He added: “This country was given a tremendous boost with the announcement that the Olympic Games are to be held in London in 2012.

“The boost that is going to give the sport will be great, sport will go up the pecking order in the British government and we can only benefit from that.”