HKCR Announce James Farndon As New CEO – Set To Take Over In Mid-2024

Hong Kong China Rugby (HKCR) has announced the appointment of James Farndon as its new Chief Executive Officer as he is set to take over from current CEO Robbie McRobbie in July 2024.

McRobbie announced at the end of 2023 that he would be stepping down and has held the HKCR  Chief Executive Officer role since 2017. Mr. Farndon will formally commence the role on June 10th 2024 and will work alongside Robbie McRobbie during a leadership transition before McRobbie leaves HKCR in early July 2024.

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James Farndon – Hong Kong China Rugby CEO Will Deliver On New Strategic Plan

HKCR Chairman Chris Brooke said that Farndon was chosen after a global search exercise and the HKCR Board approved the appointment at a special meeting on March 27th 2024.

“James joins the HKCR at a time of significant change, and opportunity, both for our organisation and rugby in Hong Kong. He has extensive experience in sports leadership, funding, budget planning, performance and operations which will enable him to work closely with the Board, the executive team, the rugby community, and a wide range of stakeholders to deliver the HKCR’s new strategic plan, which will be released soon,” said HKCR’s Chairman.

James Farndon is the current Director of Sport Strategy and Performance at the Saudi Olympic Training Centre, and a press release from HKCR said he would bring “a wide range of sports strategy, leadership, team development and organisational management experience to the position.”

Farndon said of the appointment; “I love rugby, I love sport and I enjoy working in a team environment to deliver results.  I am excited to take over the reins from Robbie to lead an organisation that is so well regarded and has such a passionate commitment to including as many people as possible in the rugby community, to delivering social benefit and of course to staging the best Rugby 7s tournament in the world.”

He has also previously held senior roles with UK Sport (the UK government funding agency for elite sport), the English Institute for Sport, Loughborough University, the Rugby Football Union and HKCR, where he worked as General Manager of performance. He has also served as the head coach of the England and Great Britain student 15s and 7s teams.

Mr. Farndon has an MSc in Strategic Management (University of Bristol) and has extensive experience in change management, including the implementation of operational and budget plans to ensure that strategic goals are achieved.

Brooke expanded on what lies ahead of the new CEO; “James will hit the ground running with a number of strategically important matters requiring close attention, including the move of the Cathay/HSBC Sevens to Kai Tak Sports Park, the evolution of the HK7s product, the nurturing of rugby at both community and performance levels, and ongoing efforts to increase access to the social value of “rugby for good” to as many people as possible in Hong Kong.

It is a challenging and also exciting time for HKCR, and we believe that James has the skills, experience, outlook and love of rugby to help us build a connected, sustainable ecosystem that optimises the positive social impact of rugby to the benefit of the Hong Kong community.”

Robbie McRobbie Leaves a Legacy In Hong Kong Rugby

Robbie McRobbie flanked by the HKCR 7s captains in the leadup to the 2024 Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens.

Of McRobbie’s departure, Brooke added, “Robbie’s name is synonymous with rugby in Hong Kong, and he has earned the trust and respect of so many people during his tenure as Chief Executive Officer, as well as during his different roles in the organisation over the past two decades. He is a great ambassador for the game and for Hong Kong.

Robbie has a depth and breadth of knowledge about rugby in Hong Kong that is unmatched. Thankfully, Robbie will remain in Hong Kong to pursue new opportunities and, in keeping with his generous spirit and love of the game, he has assured us that he will always be available to share this knowledge and experience in the months and years ahead.”

The news comes in the week that the Melrose Claymores competition and Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens 2024 takes place –  with the Sevens nearly sold out and only 500 tickets remaining just four days out from the tournament getting underway on April 5th 2024.

This is the 30^th anniversary at Hong Kong Stadium and will be the last to be played at the venue, and Mr Brooke said, “Hong Kong is set to once again thrill the 120,000 visitors over the coming three days with another weekend of world-class rugby revelry.”

Hong Kong China Rugby News

• HKCR Extends Partnership With Nan Fung Group.
• Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens 2024 Week – Ultimate Fan Guide.
• Cathay / HSBC Hong Kong Sevens 2024 Star-Studded Line-up Of Ambassadors.
• Hong Kong China Confirms Sevens Teams For Melrose Claymores – Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens 2024