Harlequins' chief executive David Ellis calls it quits

Gallagher Premiership club Harlequins have announced that David Ellis will step down as its chief executive. Ellis said: “I have decided to step down as chief executive. After eight fantastic years, it has been a very hard decision as I love both this job and this club. Having said that I recognised when I joined that I was only a temporary custodian.

"Now is the right time for me to seek a new challenge and to make way for someone to take us on the next stage of our journey. Harlequins is in great shape and I believe our brightest and best times lie ahead. I've experienced both incredible highs and heart-breaking lows, but such is the essence of the sport we love.

“Throughout my time at Harlequins, I have been humbled and inspired by our extraordinary people. They make this club the special place it is. I’m immensely grateful to them all for having had the opportunity to work with them. 

“I’m also extremely appreciative to our supporters, our commercial partners, our local clubs and our schools who work tirelessly and passionately towards helping us build a stronger and better Harlequins. It has been an honour and a privilege to serve this wonderful club.”

Harlequins chairman David Morgan added. “David has been an outstanding chief executive and has made a tremendous contribution. From the outset, he recognised, embraced and strengthened the Harlequin values that we all love and which make us unique.

“David has nurtured sponsorship relationships with world-class commercial partners, established our relationship with New Zealand Rugby and driven our digital presence. He has overseen the formation of the Harlequin Foundation and championed parity for our women’s team.

“As a result of David’s leadership match days at The Stoop are enjoyed by many and the annual Big Game continues to be the best-attended club rugby fixture in the world. He has also provided valuable input on our plans for a new stadium.

“These are exciting times for rugby and for Harlequins and we agree with David that the best times lie ahead. We are determined to improve our performance and succeed on the field and in addition, to achieve commercial sustainability.

“David will remain with the club while we look for his successor. He will, therefore, help get the 2019/20 season off to a strong start and intends to step down after Big Game 12 in December. Under David’s leadership, Harlequins has achieved much and we respect his decision to move on. He leaves with our sincere thanks and with our best wishes for his and his family’s future endeavours.”

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