Alex Williamson appointed CEO of Scottish Rugby

Alex Williamson (Wargrave 1987-92) has been appointed the CEO of Scottish Rugby, and will take up the role in early 2025.

Alex, a qualified accountant, previously ran the Goodwood Estate and is a former CEO of House of Fraser. He started his career with Ernst & Young and has had senior management and finance positions in music (Warner Music International), publishing (EMAP plc) and travel (TUI).

Alex spent nine years at the Goodwood Estate, first as chief financial officer before a seven-year tenure as chief executive, overseeing a team of more than 650 people, which ran some of the largest sporting festivals in the world, including the Goodwood Festival of Speed, the Goodwood Revival and Glorious Goodwood horse racing. Since 2019 he has been CEO of education provider Inspiring Learning, where he has seen revenues increase by a third in the past three years.

Speaking on his appointment, Alex said: 'I am very pleased to have the opportunity to lead a team charged with shaping the future of something that is about so much more than rugby. A sport that brings families together, inspires fans and connects communities in the way Scottish rugby does makes it more important than ever.

'There are many opportunities ahead for the sport globally and locally and I see no reason why Scotland cannot continue to be a positive force in the world game and within the wider sporting community.'