The R&A have appointed Mark Darbon as its new chief executive and he will take over the helm of The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews in November 2024.
Darbon has a wealth of experience in running sports clubs and teams and will replace Martin Slumbers at the of head of the R&A towards the end of the year.
Darbon will take over the responsibility for organising the Open Championship and Women’s British Open among other key events.
He will also become Secretary of the 270 year-old Club which has a global membership of more than 2,400.
“We are delighted to announce the appointment of Mark Darbon as the new Chief Executive of The R&A and Secretary of The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews,” the R&A said in a statement.
“Bringing with him a wealth of experience in senior executive leadership positions across the international sports industry, Mr Darbon will take up his role later in the year.”
Mark Darbon R&A Appointment Reaction
“I am thrilled and honoured to be taking up these positions with The R&A and The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews and to be moving into golf, a sport I have always loved,” Darbon said.
“The R&A is a globally renowned organisation and does so much to ensure that golf prospers from grassroots through to the professional game.
“I am looking forward to working with a hugely talented team of staff, the Club membership and such an impressive array of partner organisations to achieve even more success in the years to come.”
Niall Farquharson, Chairman of The R&A, added: “We were greatly impressed with Mark’s knowledge and experience of the global sport industry and his ability to develop successful teams and deliver fantastic events.
“We believe he will be an excellent leader for The R&A and The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews and will play a key role in helping us to achieve our goal of ensuring a prosperous and sustainable future for golf.”
Mark Darbon Experience
Mark Darbon was part of the London Organising Committee for the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games in 2012.
He subsequently moved into rugby union in 2017 as CEO of Northampton Saints in Premiership Rugby and joins the R&A from this position.
Darbon’s other experience comes from working in roles for Marakon Associates and Diageo plc and as Senior Vice President of Tough Mudder Inc in New York.
Darbon holds a handicap index of 3.1 at golf and is a former Under-21 England hockey international.
James is an avid golfer and reviews golf equipment and new gear for GolfReviewsGuide.com as well as providing the latest golf news. You will find him on a golf course wherever possible.