Darbon to leave Northampton for R&A CEO role

Northampton Saints chief executive Mark Darbon is to step down in November after over seven years to take on a similar role in charge of The R&A.

The 45-year-old will replace Martin Slumbers, who announced in January that he would be leaving after overseeing this year's Open Championship at Royal Troon and AIG Women's Open at St Andrews.

Darbon's decision follows Northampton's 25-21 win over Bath in last month's Premiership final - their first title win for a decade.

"Leading The R&A as their chief executive is a fantastic opportunity for Mark, and we wish him and his family the very best up in Scotland," said Saints chairman John White.

"Given Mark’s calibre and his capability as a leader, it was inevitable that one day he would be approached to take on a leading role within one of the most reputable sporting organisations in the world – so this move, while disappointing for the club, is not surprising and we have planned for this moment.

"I’ve enjoyed every minute working with him, he deserves this opportunity, and I have no doubt that he will have a huge impact at The R&A and bring that organisation the same success as he has here at Saints."

Darbon was head of pre-Games events for the London Olympics from November 2020 to May 2012 and was then in charge of operations at the Olympic Park itself.

In early 2013, he joined mass participation sports events business Tough Mudder in New York as executive vice-president, before later becoming CEO of Madison Sports Group to launch a series of professional cycling events across Europe.

He arrived at Northampton in the summer of 2017, and a turbulent first season saw Saints finish ninth in the table following the sacking of title-winning director of rugby Jim Mallinder and appointment of Chris Boyd.

Under Boyd, they won the Premiership Rugby Cup in 2018-19, with his eventual successor Phil Dowson, working alongside him as an assistant coach.

Northampton announced a £1.1m loss before tax in the year to the end of June 2023, but achieved a club record turnover of almost £22m as Darbon navigated them through the post-coronavirus period which saw Premiership clubs Wasps, Worcester Warriors and London Irish fold.

"Saints remain firmly on the path to financial sustainability with record revenues posted year after year across ticketing, hospitality and commercial partnerships," said a club statement.

During his tenure, the club have also forged partnerships with Bedford Blues and Loughborough Lightning and are planning a hotel development and new club crest, both of which Darbon will continue to oversee until his departure.

They will also be one of the host venues for the 2025 Women's Rugby World Cup.

Despite his new job, Darbon will remain part of the club as a non-executive director.

"Leaving Northampton Saints has been an incredibly difficult decision for me to make," he said.

"Rugby has faced some significant challenges, but the club is well positioned to continue to be successful into the future, on and off the pitch, whilst remaining at the centre of our local community in Northampton."

He continued: "I’m looking forward to seeing where our players, coaches and staff – particularly those that we have developed here at the club – can take Northampton Saints in the years ahead."

Graham McKechnie, BBC Radio Northampton sports editor

Mark Darbon’s tenure at Saints will unquestionably be viewed as a success both on and off the pitch.

In his seven-and-a-half years in charge, Saints and rugby in general have been through some turbulent times.

It wasn't an especially happy club that Darbon took over, with Jim Mallinder departing not long after. But with Darbon and Chris Boyd in charge, the club underwent a fundamental change of culture and approach, which ultimately led to this season’s Premiership title.

His most significant challenge came with the Covid lockdown in 2020 and the economic challenges that posed to all rugby clubs.

Despite the tough times, he was a very public and popular figure with staff and supporters. Losing him is without doubt a blow, but the club is in a better place now then it was when he took over.