Following the news that interim RFL CEO Abi Ekoku would leave his role in the governing body to move to St Helens, an update has been provided on the future of the vacated role.
Ekoku has been acting as the interim CEO since October, and has had to oversee a number of difficult situations including the downfall and rise of Salford RLFC, the decision to deny Featherstone Rovers a place in the Championship and many other important situations within the game.
However, he has now decided to leave the interim role to take up a permanent position with St Helens, and he joins the Red Vee following the exit of Mike Rush in February after 27 years.
The former player will begin his role at Saints at the end of April, but his exit leaves the governing body in a tricky situation, given that the RFL now has no CEO to oversee operations.
Commenting on Ekoku’s exit, the RFL Chairman, and Chair of RL Commercial, Nigel Wood, said: “I’d like to thank Abi for his hard work, diligence and professionalism over the last seven months, helping lead the RFL in a variety of key areas.
“His dedication to the cause has been welcomed and, through his leadership, he has been influential in some major decision-making around the sport. I wish him well with his new endeavours.”
As part of an RFL statement that confirmed the 59-year-old’s exit, it said that: “The RFL Board will meet in due course to finalise interim arrangements pending the appointment of a full-time CEO.”
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St.Helens R.F.C. have appointed the interim CEO of the Rugby Football League, Abi Ekoku, as CEO of the Club, commencing the role in late April 2026.
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— St.Helens R.F.C. (@Saints1890) April 9, 2026
