FALCONS APPOINT EXECUTIVE VICE-CHAIRMAN
Mr Varley joins the Falcons having previously been managing director of North East based Carillion Energy Services where he had responsibility for all aspects of the £800m business and 3,000 staff.
Bringing a wealth of experience to Kingston Park gained from a variety of business sectors and senior leadership roles, and as a current non-executive director of the North East Local Enterprise Partnership, Mr Varley is an established business leader across the region.
The appointment comes hot on the heels of the Falcons’ perfect start to life in the RFU Championship which has seen Richards’ men rack up three bonus point wins in a row to cement their place at the top of the table.
With the Falcons keenly plotting an immediate return to the Aviva Premiership, Mr Varley’s appointment strengthens their senior leadership team.
Mr Varley will focus in the short term on strengthening the off-field management structure while also maximising the opportunities for wider commercial development.
The club hopes that the appointment will create a similar injection of impetus in the boardroom to match its positive progress on the pitch.
Club owner Semore Kurdi said: “I’m delighted to be able to welcome Paul to the Falcons team. His background, experience and knowledge will be invaluable to the club’s off-field development and will create a number of opportunities for us to grow and expand our presence.
“We have made an encouraging start to our on-field quest for promotion back to the Premiership, and it’s important that we have the right team in place to support that and drive our development forward.
“Paul’s appointment will be a big step in helping us to achieve our goals and I’m extremely pleased to have him on board.”
Mr Varley said: “This is a fantastic opportunity to get involved and make a difference to one of the biggest sporting institutions in the region.
“As a long-standing fan, I know how important the club is in people’s lives and I am genuinely excited by the potential that exists here and I can’t wait to get started.”
