Mark Darbon has been appointed as the Chief Executive of The R&A and Secretary of The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews. He will succeed Martin Slumbers in November and will lead the governing body and the organization that runs prestigious golf events such as The Open and AIG Women’s Open. Additionally, he will become the Secretary of the 270-year-old Club which has a global membership of more than 2,400.
Formerly the CEO of Northampton Saints, a Premiership Rugby club, Mr. Darbon has led the team to their first Premiership title since 2014 and implemented a successful commercial strategy that resulted in record revenues in consecutive seasons. With his background in the London Organising Committee for the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games in 2012, he brings a wealth of experience in the global sports industry to his new role based in St Andrews.
Expressing his excitement about his new positions, Mr. Darbon stated, “The R&A is a globally renowned organization that does so much to ensure that golf prospers from grassroots to the professional game. I am looking forward to working with a talented team of staff, Club membership, and partner organizations to achieve even more success in the future.” His appointment has been met with enthusiasm from Niall Farquharson, Chairman of The R&A, who believes that Mr. Darbon will be an excellent leader and play a key role in ensuring a prosperous future for golf.
Mr. Darbon began his career as a management consultant at Marakon Associates before transitioning into the sports event organization in 2009. He held several senior roles with the London Organizing Committee for the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games and later served as an Expert Adviser to the International Olympic Committee from 2013 to 2018. His experience also includes roles in sports events and content companies, including Tough Mudder Inc and Madison Sports Group.
A graduate of Worcester College, Oxford University, Mr. Darbon is not only a keen golfer but also a former Under-21 England hockey international and a Full Blue for hockey at Oxford University. He currently serves as a non-executive director of England Hockey and Women’s Premiership Rugby. Married with two children, he plans to move his family to St Andrews to settle into his new role. His diverse background in sports and events management positions him well to lead The R&A and The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews into a successful future.
In conclusion, Mark Darbon’s appointment as Chief Executive of The R&A and Secretary of The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews signifies an exciting new chapter for the prestigious organization. With his leadership skills and extensive experience in the global sports industry, he is well-positioned to drive the organization forward and ensure a prosperous and sustainable future for golf. His passion for the sport and proven track record in event organization make him a valuable addition to the team, and his vision for the future of golf is sure to bring about further success for The R&A and its affiliated clubs.
