LAKIN MAKES A KR RETURN
FORMER CHIEF EXECUTIVE BACK TO TAKE DAY-TO-DAY CONTROL
NEIL Hudgell has vowed to stay on at Hull KR until a new owner is found after bringing Paul Lakin back to the club as chief executive.
Hudgell put the club up for sale in August and will stand down as chairman at the end of November.
But he will remain in the background and has ensured the club is financially secure for the next 12 months, with Lakin taking control on a day-to-day basis from November 1.
It will mark a return to Craven Park for Lakin, 12 years on from his departure in 2008.
He originally joined the club in 2004 and oversaw the promotion to
Super League before taking a job in football with Wolves.
Lakin spent six years at Molineux and returns to Rovers with a wealth of experience having served as Stoke City’s chief commercial officer.
Hudgell believes KR are in good hands moving forward.
“As you are aware I will be relinquishing my position as chairman at the end of November and the search for potential new ownership/investment will shortly begin,” he said in a statement.
“I do want to be very clear though, I won’t simply walk away and undo so much good work happening behind the scenes.
“I will be stepping back from the day to day leadership of the club, yet I want us to grow stronger than we’ve ever been, so it is with this in mind that I am delighted to announce from November 1st Paul Lakin will be appointed as our new chief executive. “Paul will take full control of the club both on and off the field, he’s someone who I have great trust in and I am excited by his return.”
Lakin’s appointment allows Mike Smith to step aside as chief executive, five months on from his original departure date.
Smith was due to vacate the role at the end of May but stayed on to steady the ship during the coronavirus crisis.
He will remain at Craven Park as the head of the Community Trust.
“His vast experience will be vital in ensuring a smooth transition for Paul, but also as our key link between the club and local community,” Hudgell added.
“I’d like to place on record my sincere thanks to Mike. He is red and white through and through and has always been a rock for me over the last 10 years.”