Darbon to leave Northampton for R&A CEO role

Northampton Saints main executive Mark Darbon is to measurement down successful November aft complete 7 years to return connected a akin domiciled successful complaint of The R&A.

The 45-year-old will switch Martin Slumbers, who announced successful January that he would beryllium leaving aft overseeing this year's Open Championship astatine Royal Troon and AIG Women's Open astatine St Andrews.

Darbon's determination follows Northampton's 25-21 triumph complete Bath successful past month's Premiership last - their first title triumph for a decade.

"Leading The R&A arsenic their main executive is simply a awesome opportunity for Mark, and we wish him and his family nan very champion up successful Scotland," said Saints president John White.

"Given Mark’s calibre and his capacity arsenic a leader, it was inevitable that 1 time he would beryllium approached to return connected a starring domiciled wrong 1 of nan astir reputable sporting organisations successful nan world – truthful this move, while disappointing for nan club, is not astonishing and we person planned for this moment.

"I’ve enjoyed each infinitesimal moving pinch him, he deserves this opportunity, and I person nary uncertainty that he will person a immense effect astatine The R&A and bring that organisation nan aforesaid occurrence arsenic he has present astatine Saints."

Darbon was caput of pre-Games events for nan London Olympics from November 2020 to May 2012 and was past successful complaint of operations astatine nan Olympic Park itself.

In early 2013, he joined wide information sports events business Tough Mudder successful New York arsenic executive vice-president, earlier later becoming CEO of Madison Sports Group to motorboat a bid of master cycling events crossed Europe.

He arrived astatine Northampton successful nan summertime of 2017, and a turbulent first play saw Saints decorativeness ninth successful nan array pursuing nan sacking of title-winning head of rugby Jim Mallinder and assignment of Chris Boyd.

Under Boyd, they won nan Premiership Rugby Cup successful 2018-19, pinch his eventual successor Phil Dowson, moving alongside him arsenic an adjunct coach.

Northampton announced a £1.1m nonaccomplishment earlier taxation successful nan twelvemonth to nan extremity of June 2023, but achieved a nine grounds turnover of almost £22m arsenic Darbon navigated them done nan post-coronavirus play which saw Premiership clubs Wasps, Worcester Warriors and London Irish fold.

"Saints stay firmly connected nan way to financial sustainability pinch grounds revenues posted twelvemonth aft twelvemonth crossed ticketing, hospitality and commercialized partnerships," said a nine statement.

During his tenure, nan nine person besides forged partnerships pinch Bedford Blues and Loughborough Lightning and are readying a edifice improvement and caller nine crest, some of which Darbon will proceed to oversee until his departure.

They will besides beryllium 1 of nan big venues for nan 2025 Women's Rugby World Cup.

Despite his caller job, Darbon will stay portion of nan nine arsenic a non-executive director.

"Leaving Northampton Saints has been an incredibly difficult determination for maine to make," he said.

"Rugby has faced immoderate important challenges, but nan nine is good positioned to proceed to beryllium successful into nan future, connected and disconnected nan pitch, whilst remaining astatine nan centre of our section organization successful Northampton."

He continued: "I’m looking guardant to seeing wherever our players, coaches and unit – peculiarly those that we person developed present astatine nan nine – tin return Northampton Saints successful nan years ahead."

Graham McKechnie, BBC Radio Northampton sports editor

Mark Darbon’s tenure astatine Saints will unquestionably beryllium viewed arsenic a occurrence some connected and disconnected nan pitch.

In his seven-and-a-half years successful charge, Saints and rugby successful wide person been done immoderate turbulent times.

It wasn't an particularly happy nine that Darbon took over, pinch Jim Mallinder departing not agelong after. But pinch Darbon and Chris Boyd successful charge, nan nine underwent a basal alteration of civilization and approach, which yet led to this season’s Premiership title.

His astir important situation came pinch nan Covid lockdown successful 2020 and nan economical challenges that posed to each rugby clubs.

Despite nan reliable times, he was a very nationalist and celebrated fig pinch unit and supporters. Losing him is without uncertainty a blow, but nan nine is successful a amended spot now past it was erstwhile he took over.