Wasps announce new CEO
Wasps Group has announced that Stephen Vaughan has been appointed as its group chief executive.
Vaughan joined the company last year with responsibility for all of its sporting operations and has implemented several major changes, including the appointment of a new rugby management team.
He will now have responsibility for the combined group activities including conferences, exhibitions, concerts and all sponsorship and commercial activities.
His appointment follows news of Stuart Cain’s departure, who is joining Warwickshire County Cricket Club.
Vaughan, who joined Wasps after seven successful years with Gloucester Rugby, was formerly an award-winning senior executive with Thomas Cook.
He joined the company after being a professional footballer at Walsall and moved through the ranks to become the managing director of its Club 18-30 business, and then managing director of Thomas Cook London 2012, where he led Thomas Cook’s involvement with the Olympic Games in London.
During a seven-year spell at Kingsholm, Vaughan led a long-term transformation of the club which culminated in Gloucester Rugby achieving its first play-off finish for eight years. He was also responsible for all off-field commercial activities including conferencing, events and concerts, retail and partnerships, growing turnover and retail spend by 50 per cent.
Derek Richardson, Wasps Group owner, said: “Stephen has vast experience and an impressive track record across different areas – such as events, ticketing and commercial operations – which are key to the success of the Wasps Group.
“He has made a very positive impact since his arrival, has great dynamism and a fresh, forward-looking approach to business which has already yielded some impressive results.
“He has dealt with a number of major challenges, including a change in management on the rugby side of the business and steering the company through these unprecedented times.
“Taking a larger role in the wider operation of Wasps Group is a very natural step at what is a very important time for the business. We have exciting plans in a number of areas and Stephen has been working on those developments in recent months and will now drive them forward to fruition.”
Vaughan, who has a degree in Business Management from Loughborough University, said: “Wasps Group is a very dynamic business with exciting potential in all its areas of activity. I have really enjoyed my role on the sporting side of the group and believe we now have that in very good shape.
“I am really motivated in helping to drive forward the overall business and helping to realise the exciting plans we have been putting in place in recent months.
“Clearly this is a very difficult time for the country on every level, but we have been working hard to ensure we have a robust business which will emerge from the current crisis in good shape and ready to really drive forward.”
