IAN NOLAN APPOINTED RUGBY FOOTBALL LEAGUE CHIEF EXECUTIVE

Ian Nolan has been appointed chief executive of the Rugby Football League, the organisation announced. Nolan will assume the role on 1 October. He previously held positions at Manchester United and Science in Sport. The appointment follows the departure of Tony Sutton, who stepped down last September.

The RFL chair Nigel Wood stated that Nolan "emerged as the person best placed to take us forward during a pivotal time for the sport" from a field of candidates described as top-class. Wood noted the recent Magic WKND event, which the RFL reported attracted more than 80,000 attendees. The interim chief executive role has been filled on a rotating basis since Sutton's departure. Abi Ekoku held the position until April, when he left to become CEO at St Helens following Mike Rush's departure in February. Rhodri Jones then took on the interim role alongside his position as managing director of RL Commercial.

Jones will remain in the interim chief executive position until Nolan takes up the role later this year. The RFL did not announce a timeline for a permanent replacement for Jones's managing director position at RL Commercial.