Alan Gilpin Appointed As Head Of Rwc

Alan Gilpin has been appointed as head of Rugby World Cup, the organising body of the tournament by the International Rugby Board (IRB).

Gilpin replaces Kit McConnell who was appointed sports director at the International Olympic Committee (IOC) at the start of the year. Gilpin will be responsible for the day-to-day operations of the brand and joins with preparations on track for next year’s RWC in England followed by Japan in 2019, the first Rugby World Cup in Asia.

Gilpin joins the IRB from the Sodexo and Mike Burton Group joint venture where, as chief commercial officer for Rugby Travel & Hospitality Limited, and Prestige Ticketing & Hospitality Limited, he oversaw the hospitality programme for the London 2012 Olympic Games and has been a key part in the delivery of the Rugby World Cup 2015 official hospitality programme.

Prior to this Gilpin spent nine years at IMG where he was responsible for rights negotiations at the previous three editions of the Rugby World Cup.

Gilpin commented:  ‘I am delighted and honoured to be joining the IRB at such an exciting time for the sport and Rugby World Cup. I look forward to working within a strong management team in full collaboration with key stakeholders, including our England Rugby 2015 and Japan Rugby 2019 tournament organising friends to ensure that both tournaments will write yet more record-breaking chapters in the Rugby World Cup success story.’

Bernard Lapasset, chairman of the IRB and Rugby World Cup, said: ‘Alan joins a strong and dynamic Rugby World Cup management team at an exciting time for the tournament with preparation on track to deliver what promises to be a wonderful England 2015 event and a ground-breaking first Rugby World Cup in Asia at Japan 2019.’