NEW HEAD OF ULSTER RUGBY BUT EX-DAIRY COUNCIL CHIEF SAYS HE’LL NOT STAY LONG
PROMINENT Northern Ireland businessman Dr David Dobbin is the new man in charge of Ulster Rugby, it can be revealed.
But the current chairman of Belfast Harbour Commissioners has insisted he will not be taking up the demanding position on a long term basis.
Dr Dobbin has replaced Shane Logan, who stepped down as chief executive in August following a turbulent year for Ulster Rugby, with indifferent performances on the pitch and a high-profile rape trial featuring two of the club’s main players.
Speaking to the Belfast Telegraph yesterday, Dr Dobbin, a former chairman of the Northern Ireland Dairy Council, said he would be helping Ulster out on a part-time basis while they seek to recruit a permanent CEO.
“It’s going to take a few months to finalise the appointment and all I’m doing is stepping in until that happens,” said Dr Dobbin, who enjoyed a seven-year stint as chairman of Ulster Rugby and is a popular figure at the Kingspan Stadium.
He added: “I’ve been involved since last month to make sure there’s someone at the helm just to keep the show on the road.”
Dr Dobbin, who received a CBE in 2005 for his services to the agrifood and packaging industries, is no longer actively involved in the dairy sector, finishing his term in office as chairman of Dairy UK last September, and ending his two-year term as chairman of the NI Dairy Council last spring.
Two years ago he also stepped down from his post as chief executive of Dale Farm owner United Dairy Farmers after 16 years at the helm. He accepted a special award for Outstanding Contribution to the Progressive Development of Business in Northern Ireland at the 2016 Belfast Telegraph Business Awards.
It is understood a number of impressive applicants came forward for the top job at Ulster Rugby, which is to be filled in the coming months via an open competition. Mr Logan vacated the chief operating officer’s role two months ago, after an eightyear stint. In the past 12 months the club have had to contend with the fallout from the lengthy rape trial involving Irish internationals Paddy Jackson (far left) and Stuart Olding (below). The pair were unanimously acquitted of all charges but had their contracts revoked following an IRFU internal review.
Ulster fans have also seen under-par performances and the departure of two head coaches, Les Kiss and Jono Gibbes.
When Mr Logan, who didn’t reveal the reason for his departure, took over at Ulster in 2010 he immediately declared that he wanted them to become one of the best rugby clubs in the world under his direction.
He had come under intense scrutiny over the past year from fans and pundits, and was crit- Dr David Dobbin is the new man in charge
of Ulster Rugby
icised for the decision to ban news journalists from press conferences following the sackings of Jackson and Olding, who are now playing for clubs in France.
“There have been some significant challenges in recent years. I hope that the unity with which everyone in Ulster faced these will endure for generations,” Logan said in the statement announcing his departure.
Paul Terrington, chair of the Ulster Rugby Management Committee, said Mr Logan played a vital role in establishing the club’s financial stability and making it a more inclusive organisation.