The RFL have appointed a new Chief Executive, after the role was left vacant following the exit of Tony Sutton in September 2025.
Since then, both Abi Ekoku and Rhodri Jones have held the job on an interim basis, but the governing body has finally nailed down someone to hold the position permanently.
That man is Ian Nolan, a former senior executive at Manchester United who led the club’s global media network and oversaw record reach, engagement and revenue.
Following his Old Trafford exit, he joined Science in Sport (SIS) as their Chief Marketing Officer.
Nolan has 20 years of experience in the sports industry, and will officially begin work on October 1. Jones, who is also the Managing Director of RL Commercial, will continue in the role until that point.
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RFL confirm former Manchester United executive Ian Nolan as new CEO
Commenting on the appointment, the Chairman of the RFL and RL Commercial, Nigel Wood, said: “We are absolutely delighted to welcome Ian to the Rugby League.
“Amid a field of top-class candidates, he emerged as the person best placed to take us forward during a pivotal time for the sport.
“Ian’s skillset and vast experience in the global, digital market, including an influential seven years at Manchester United, will complement what we already have within the RFL.
“With his fresh ideas and dynamism, this appointment is the most significant as we continue to turn around the sport’s fortunes and put revenues back onto an upward trajectory after the past few years.
“There is so much to be proud of in our game here with the best-ever Magic WKND just a few days ago – a brilliant occasion attended by more than 80,000 people – a case in point.
“Ian’s appointment is the first step in a bold and ambitious new strategy; he has a wealth of experience in the growth and commercialisation of sports, media and sports rights, plus an impressive track record of leveraging digital, social and modern media platforms to accelerate growth into global markets.”
