Gloucester Rugby have appointed an experienced sports marketing boss as the English Premiership club looks to grow its revenues.
Huw Warren joins The Cherry and Whites as sales director, having previously held senior commercial roles at Bath Rugby and Welsh region the Ospreys.
It marks a return to rugby for Mr Warren, who arrives at Kingsholm from Glamorgan County Cricket Club, where he spent four years and was involved in establishing the Welsh Fire franchise in the fledgling 100-ball cricket tournament The Hundred.
Gloucester Rugby said Mr Warren would be responsible for driving the club’s financial growth through sponsorship, digital and other commercial opportunities.
Mr Warren said: “Despite current challenges in Premiership Rugby facing some clubs, Gloucester Rugby is in a good financial position, and I’m honoured to be joining the club as sales director.
“Gloucester boasts some great partnerships and sponsors already and I’m looking forward to exploring new opportunities for the club, working with Premiership Rugby, and maximising a successful product on the field.”
Gloucester Rugby chief executive Lance Bradley added: “We’re delighted to have Huw join us as sales director. He brings a wealth of experience to the table, and I have no doubt he will have a big impact.
“Our financial position is the best it has been for many years, despite the challenges Covid presented for our sport, and Huw’s appointment marks a new chapter as we look to bolster our position and push forward with our commitment to grow.”
In March the club reported pre-tax profit of £1.04m and a net profit of £141,500 for the financial year to June 2021, back in the black after loss before tax of just over £980,000 in 2020.
Around the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, the club announced its staff, including first team players, had taken a 25% pay cut as part of plans to help the club’s finances with the loss of income generated by matchdays and tickets.
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