Six Nations CEO Ben Morel to step down

Six Nations Rugby have this afternoon confirmed that their Chief Executive Officer, Ben Morel, has decided to step down at the end of the current season.

According to the organisation,  Morel informed the board that the end of the 2022/23 season would be "the right time" for him to step down after having "ensured a best-in-class transition with his successor".

Morel led the organisation since 2018, during which time it has "experienced unprecedented transformational change".

"New innovative partnerships have been secured within Morel’s tenure including that with TikTok focused on a revamped Women’s Six Nations Championship in its own dedicated window in the Rugby calendar; and with Amazon Prime Video in UK & Ireland to broadcast a re-branded Autumn Nations Series," read a statement. "Six Nations Rugby has also successfully extended its media partnerships around the Men’s and Women’s Six Nations Championships with its free-to-air partners in all domestic markets."

Morel said it was "an unbelievable privilege" to have lead to the organisation but that it was the right time to call it quits.

“I am at the stage in my life when I want to tackle other personal and professional projects and a Rugby World Cup year is the perfect time to ensure a smooth transition to keep the pace of our rapid transformation. There are several key projects I am focused on delivering before I depart and look forward to the next months ahead”.

Ronan Dunne, Chair of the Board of Six Nations Rugby said “We have been privileged to have Ben’s wise counsel and steadfast leadership during these past five seasons. He has delivered outstanding performance, whilst establishing a strong and effective organisation and executive leadership team, leaving us well placed to deliver on the next phase of our vision for Six Nations Rugby.”

The board said they were 'grateful' that they have been given a long notice period to ensure a successful transition.