Leeds Rugby Ltd today announced that Managing Director David Howes is to leave Headingley at the end of November to launch his own sports marketing consultancy.
Howes moved to Headingley four years ago after a highly successful three-year appointment as Chief Executive of St. Helens Rugby League Club and previously 19 years at Rugby League Headquarters, culminating in the role of Deputy Chief Executive.
Paul Caddick, Chairman of Leeds Rugby, the world’s first rugby partnership between a professional Rugby League club, Leeds Rhinos, and a professional Rugby Union club, Leeds Tykes, explained:
‘David has played a leading role in the redevelopment of Headingley in terms of both building programmes and company structures. Having helped mastermind a new Headingley era as a unique and vibrant three-sport venue, he has expressed a personal desire to return to day-to-day direct contact with rugby and players.
‘His departure will be absorbed into our current reorganisation of staffing structures at Headingley, particularly in the light of our new and evolving partnership with Yorkshire Cricket Club and the urgent need to improve sales strategy and performance.’
Howes added: ‘Under the expert and enthusiastic leadership of Chairman Paul Caddick, I have enjoyed playing a part in the restyling of Headingley Stadium with the rebuilding of the popular cricket West Stand, the newly opened cricket East Stand, featuring the concept of 36 hotel bedrooms cum executive boxes and the rugby South Stand redevelopment.
‘Personal and memorable business achievements include the successful launch of Leeds Tykes as Yorkshire’s Premier Rugby Club, the introduction of the Headingley branding programme and the switch to in-house catering and retail operations.
‘On the marketing front, enjoyment and satisfaction was gained from the best selling and award winning Rhinos Millennium Celebration jersey; the current Tykes poster campaign featuring Dan Scarbrough; the Rhinos community marketing project in association with Asda; and robbing arch rivals Bradford Bulls of the title of best supported club for three of my four years at Headingley boosted by the introduction of the biggest-ever club/fans interactive programme.
‘I would like to extend my thanks and best wishes for the future to the fans of both the Rhinos and the Tykes for sharing their hopes and frustrations through our policy of personal, website and study group interaction.’
For further infromation please contact:
Phil Daly
Leeds Rugby
E: phil.daly@leedsrugby.com