Appointments: New ball game for Watkins; Smith & Smith & more

LEADING sports lawyer, Maurice Watkins, a partner at North West law firm Brabners Chaffe Street, and a long-time director of Manchester United FC, has been named interim chairman of the Rugby Football League.

Mr Watkins, a non-executive director of the RFL, will step into the role at the end of the month when current chairman Richard Lewis will become chief executive of The All England Lawn Tennis Club, Wimbledon.

Mr Watkins said: ““I will be working with my board colleagues to identify the skills we require for a new chairman to take the game on to the next exciting stage of its development. 

“At the same time we will take this opportunity to review the game’s governance arrangements for the next era, in consultation with all our stakeholders.

“Whilst tough economic conditions are proving challenging for all sports clubs at present, we believe this is a great moment for someone to come in and help shape the future of a very successful sport.”

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SOUTH Manchster PR agency Smith & Smith PR has appointed Fiona White as an account executive. She joins the Hale-based agency from  from online news agency Adfero.

Smith & Smith, which moved from Manchester city centre to Hale in August last year, said turnover increased 25% during the 2011/12 financial year.

Managing director Nathan Smith, says: “We are thrilled to welcome Fiona on board at such a great time for the agency. Smith & Smith PR has grown from strength to strength despite three years of economic downturn and we are hungry to build on this success by expanding the team. We also expect to make several more appointments over the coming months.”