WORCESTER Warriors chief executive Jim O’Toole will leave Sixways at the end of the month after the club revealed a dramatic revamp of its management structure.
Chairman Bill Bolsover confirmed O’Toole’s tenure would come to an end with the arrival of new managing director Gus MacKay.
The revamp which mean the managing director being handed responsibility for the operations of the club, with responsibility for the rugby department remaining with director of rugby Gary Gold, who reports directly to the board.
O’Toole, who joined Warriors in February 2015, said: “This new structure makes sense for the business and I would like to thank our partners, staff and fans for their support during my tenure as chief executive.”
A dramatic promotion to the Premiership and the shock departure of former director of rugby Dean Ryan were among the challenges faced by the former London Irish chief during his time at Sixways.
“We would like to thank Jim for his commitment and enthusiasm during his time as chief executive and wish him every success in the future,” Mr Bolsover said in a statement.
Former London Broncos chief executive Mackay will arrive at Sixways with 15 years of experience working across rugby and cricket.
A former cricketer who played three internationals for Zimbabwe, Mackay’s first job in this country came in June 2006 as chief executive of Sussex CCC.
The 49-year-old swapped the south coast for south London in 2008 when he was named managing director of Surrey CCC for a two-year spell.
His most recent job in day-to-day professional sport came as chief executive of the Broncos rugby league side which came to an end in March 2014.
“We welcome Gus to his new role at a very exciting time for the commercial side of the business and believe his experience within professional sport will be a key catalyst to drive the club forward off the pitch,” Bolsover added.
MacKay will start work as the Warriors’ new managing director on Monday.