ALL ENGLAND CLUB APPOINTS RICHARD LEWIS AS CHIEF EXECUTIVE

Written by: Staff on 10th April 2012

ALL ENGLAND CLUB APPOINTS RICHARD LEWIS AS CHIEF EXECUTIVE

epa02808781 Novak Djokovic of Serbia addresses to media during a press conference after winning the final match against Rafael Nadal of Spain for the Wimbledon Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis Club, in London, Britain, 03 July 2011. EPA/NEIL TINGLE / POOL |

The All England Lawn Tennis Club, Wimbledon, today announced that its new Chief Executive will be Richard Lewis, the former British Davis Cup player and currently the Chairman of the Rugby Football League (RFL) and Chair of Sport England.

Lewis has been involved in top level sport for over thirty years and will bring extensive sports management, commercial and administrative success and experience to the role. He will join the All England Club on 1 May 2012.

As an international tennis player Lewis reached a career high world ranking of 68 and represented Great Britain in Davis Cup from 1977 to 1983. He was Director of Tennis at the Lawn Tennis Association from 1998 to 2000. In 2002 he joined the RFL as Executive Chairman and held that position until 2009. From 2009 he has been Chairman of the RFL and of Sport England.

Philip Brook, Chairman of the All England Club, said: “We had a very strong field of candidates and in Richard Lewis we have the person with the right blend of sporting background and management skill and experience to ensure that the All England Club and The Championships continue to go from strength to strength.”

Richard Lewis said: “I am delighted to be taking up the role of Chief Executive at the All England Club. As a former tennis professional, the prospect of helping shape the future of the Club and the premier tennis tournament in the world is one to be relished. I leave the RFL after ten fulfilling years during which the sport has grown and prospered. I am extremely grateful to all the colleagues with whom I have had the privilege to work. I shall enjoy continuing my role at Sport England albeit with less time commitment.”