Scottish Rugby add new recruits

SCOTTISH Rugby has made two key appointments at the top of the business, with Hilary Spence joining as chief financial officer (CFO) and a Board member, and Gav Scott taking over from the retiring Sheila Begbie as Director of Rugby Development.

Spence, who will take up her role with Scottish Rugby in the summer, joins from Glasgow-based biotech firm Collagen Solutions, where she is CFO and UK managing director. Prior to that she was CFO with indoor sports provider Powerleague, having previously spent three years at Heineken leading a finance transformation programme. Her arrival at Murrayfield brings to an end to Andy Healy’s eight-year stint as an executive director on the Scottish Rugby Board, but he will continue as operational finance director.

“I am incredibly excited and honoured to be joining Scottish Rugby at this exciting time,” said Spence. “I have been impressed with the vision and drive of the organisation and look forward to building on the strong financial foundations to help enable success on and off the field at all levels of the game in Scotland.”

Meanwhile, Scott is a former professional player with Glasgow Warriors. After hanging up his boots, he spent 10 years as head analyst for the Scotland national team, and then seven years as team manager, before moving to the rugby operations director role. He has been a volunteer at his local club, Currie Chieftains, for the past 12 years. He will take over the role at a crucial juncture as the non-professional game attempts to come back to life after more than a year in Covid-induced hibernation.

“I was attracted by the unique opportunity to work with people in clubs, schools and the Rugby Development department who are passionate, like me, about developing our game in Scotland,” he said.