1
New CEO explains how Scottish rugby can be a 'sustainable business'
By PA
New chief executive Alex Williamson is adamant Scottish Rugby is firmly on course for long-term sustainability after some concerning financial results in recent years. The governing body posted a loss of £11.3million for the year up to the end of June 2024 following a reported loss of £10.5m for 2023.
Englishman Williamson recently began his new role and sees grounds for optimism. “There is a very clear path to a long-term sustainable business,” he said as he faced the media for the first time at Murrayfield on Wednesday. “Clearly there have been some challenges.
“My review over my very early part of the role is to say that there is plenty of reasons to be positive about the financial state of Scottish rugby and our ability to get after the projects that we need to get after, but we have to do it in a pragmatic way.
“So we won’t be charging all guns blazing. We will be doing elements in priority order and allowing them to mature into revenue-generating concepts that will then facilitate some of perhaps the more hard-to-reach areas.
“The basic dynamics of the way we generate revenue are going to remain reasonably consistent, so media and broadcast income is going to be very important, tickets, hospitality, partnership incomes. But also how we build on having the largest stadium in Scotland and ensure that this site is used as often as possible.”
Williamson has taken the reins at Murrayfield eight months after the departure of his long-serving predecessor Mark Dodson. Asked what his priorities are, the new incumbent said: “There has been a long period without a chief exec, and so in the first instance just to get hold of the senior team, build a really clear, simple plan, a sort of believable path if you like.
"That will be the sort of blood that pumps into all the things that we really need to get after. So investing in Murrayfield, putting additional resource into high performance, and of course supporting the community game as best we can too.”
Murrayfield’s facilities have been criticised and Williamson revealed the upgrading of the stadium – which has new hospitality boxes opening for the upcoming Guinness Six Nations – will be done in gradual phases. “There is a huge opportunity here, and I suppose some of the noise that is so loud at Murrayfield is that it hasn’t been gone after,” he said.
“We are sitting in renewed boxes here, there is eight spaces that have just been completed for the Six Nations. There is a whole weight of work that has been done to improve some of the basics, and I know that things like loos are really important in that context, and also then to add revenue-generating opportunities as well.
“But it’s not going to be done in one go, it will be in phases, and on the assumption those phases go well, that will give us the wherewithal to do more.”
Williamson addressed recent reports that the Six Nations may not be available on free-to-air television when the current TV deal, which sees live coverage shared between ITV and the BBC, expires after this year’s championship.
“I haven’t got that close to it in truth over these few days but I am aware that there are lots of conversations ongoing,” he said. “I don’t think any commitments have been made and as far as I’m aware, at least for the time being, free-to-air is still very much an option and anything that suggests otherwise isn’t actually based on the circumstances.
“I’m really looking forward to getting involved with those conversations with the rest of the Six Nations and the British and Irish Lions and all those guys, and I guess I could give you a better view once I’ve seen it.”
Trending on RugbyPass
2
Richie Mo'unga lifts lid on '27 World Cup hopes
3
Bath face nervous wait on England's lock injury news
4
Sharks player ratings vs Leinster | 2024/25 URC
5
Latest Comments
VERIFIED CRYPTOCURRENCY RESTORATION/FOLKWIN EXPERT RECOVERY.
As a designer, I’m always on the lookout for new tools to improve my workflow. So, when I saw an ad on LinkedIn for a “revolutionary” design software, it seemed like the perfect opportunity. The ad promised to streamline my design process with amazing features at an unbeatable price. Without a second thought, I clicked the link and made the purchase. But soon after buying the software, I realized it was a scam. The software never worked as promised, and when I tried to reach out for support, the company vanished without a trace. I was left feeling frustrated and powerless. 5,000 NZD, a significant amount for anyone, especially a freelancer, was gone, and there was no way to get it back… or so I thought. I was at a loss for what to do next. That’s when I discovered FOLKWIN EXPERT RECOVERY. At first, I wasn’t sure if they could help. Could anyone actually recover money lost to online scams? But, desperate and with no other options, I decided to reach out. I contacted FOLKWIN EXPERT RECOVERY, they explained the process in detail, reassured me that they would do everything in their power to recover my funds, and kept me updated every step of the way. To my amazement, just two days after I reached out, they successfully recovered 4,800 NZD of the 5,000 NZD I had lost. The relief I felt when I saw that money back in my account was indescribable. It was like a huge weight had been lifted off my shoulders. Since then, I’ve made it a point to share my experience with other designers in the community. I want to raise awareness about the scams that are out there and remind others to be cautious when browsing for new software. Scammers can target anyone, even professionals like us. But I also want to let fellow designers know that if they do fall victim to fraud, they don’t have to give up. FOLKWIN EXPERT RECOVERY is there to help. Now, I always tell others: Be skeptical of ads that seem too good to be true, especially on platforms like LinkedIn. But if you do get scammed, there’s hope. Don’t hesitate to contact FOLKWINEXPERTRECOVERY(at)TECH-CENTER. CO M, (WhatsApp): +1 (740)705-0711. They helped me get my money back in just two days, and they can help you too.
Warm greetings,
Mr. Gilbert Jonathan
Go to commentsAs a seasoned entrepreneur, I prided myself on due diligence. But when an associate introduced me to a "high-yield crypto platform" backed by polished presentations and fake regulatory licenses, I let my guard down. The platform promised 25% monthly returns through "algorithmic trading." I poured in $775,000 USDT, For months, the dashboard showed soaring profits. Then, the withdrawal requests stalled. Excuses turned to silence. The platform’s domain expired. My heart sank: I’d been ensnared by scam. The loss was paralyzing. My family’s future hung in the balance. Lawyers warned that cross-border crypto scams were nearly impossible to prosecute. I spent sleepless nights scouring blockchain explorers, tracing my USDT to anonymous wallets, but hit dead ends. Then, a cybersecurity contact mentioned Dexdert Net, a firm with a reputation for untangling sophisticated crypto fraud, desperate, I reached out. Dexdert’s team responded promptly, exuding professionalism. They asked for transaction records, wallet addresses, and scammer communications. Their transparency stood out—no upfront fees, just a contingency plan explaining their approach: tracing blockchain transactions, collaborating with exchanges, and leveraging legal channels. Though complex, it reassured me. Weeks passed with regular updates. Dexdert’s experts traced my USDT to a wallet flagged for scams. Dexdert’s persistence was unwavering. They worked tirelessly and successfully recovered my funds, My $775,000 USDT was secured in a new wallet, verified by my own eyes. Relief washed over me—I’d regained control, they restored my faith. To others, I urge: research thoroughly, question "too good" offers, and act swiftly if scammed. While not all stories end like mine, Dexdert’s expertise turned my despair into hope—a second chance I’ll never take for granted.
CONTACT THEM, DEXDERT NET RECOVERY ARE THE BEST IN THE BUSINESS.
WhatsApp: (+1 _859_ 609‑4156) Telegram:( @Dexdertprorecovery) Email:(DexdertNetPro@mail.com)
Go to comments