Gloucester find replacement on its doorstep to succeed CEO Vaughan

Gloucester have announced that Lance Bradley has been appointed as chief executive to replace the Wasps-bound Stephen Vaughan. 

Bradley’s association with the club is a long one, firstly as sales and marketing director and then managing director of principal partner Mitsubishi Motors. He then acted as a non-executive director at Kingsholm for the last 18 months.

Bradley said: “I feel hugely honoured being appointed CEO of Gloucester. It’s a very exciting time for the club, not only as we look to build upon last season’s third-place finish, but also with CVC’s investment in Premiership Rugby opening up significant new opportunities.

“We have a tremendous set of supporters – unrivalled anywhere in my opinion – and business partners who are second to none. I’m looking forward to helping deliver the success that we all want.”

Chairman Martin St Quinton added: “We’re delighted to have Lance step up from his non-executive role to chief executive. 

? NEWS

Gloucester Rugby are delighted to announce that Lance Bradley has been appointed Chief Executive Officer, effective Monday 2 September.

Full story ?? https://t.co/Bz7nmQlJ1C

— Gloucester Rugby ? (@gloucesterrugby) August 27, 2019

“We conducted a very thorough search for our new CEO, but it’s not often you find someone who is not only an enthusiastic rugby follower, but also an experienced and outstanding business leader who also has experience on the club’s board. I believe Lance is the ideal man to lead us forward.”

Growing up in the West Country, Bradley attended Plymouth College before doing a degree in mechanical engineering at Salford University. From there he spent 30 years in the automotive industry with Ford Motor Company and then Mitsubishi Motors.

‘If you start tweaking with it too much it will probably ruin what is already there’ – @gloucesterrugby prop @FraserBalmain tells @heagneyl he can’t see what difference the latest @WorldRugby scrum law tweak has made ? https://t.co/t7tIwpyk7V

— liam heagney (@heagneyl) August 23, 2019

As managing director of Mitsubishi, he led the company into a strong relationship with Gloucester rugby, including the investment in becoming the club’s principal partner in July 2015.

He also expanded Mitsubishi’s involvement in rugby to include partnerships with Edinburgh, Scottish rugby and England rugby. His time with Mitsubishi also saw him being awarded Autocar’s Outstanding UK Leader award in 2016.

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