ABI EKOKU is stepping down as St Helens’ chief executive after less than seven months in the role, with family reasons cited for his decision.
In April, Ekoku left the Rugby Football League, where he was interim CEO, to take up the post at Saints.
He replaced Mike Rush, who spent 13 years in the job and 27 at Saints in total, and who was recently appointed as chief executive of NRL side Parramatta Eels.
A Great Britain discus and shot put athlete turned rugby league winger for London, Halifax and Bradford, Ekoku was chief executive of the Bulls in the early 2000s before turning his focus to property development.
Having only returned to the sport in March 2025, initially as part of Nigel Wood’s strategic review panel before becoming an interim RFL director then chief executive during a period of upheaval at the governing body, Ekoku now wishes to return to London.
As part of a restructure of senior management, St Helens have appointed Joe Nicholl, who has been a director since 2006, as chief operating officer, with responsibility for the club’s commercial, financial and operations functions.
Chairman Eamonn McManus said: “We sincerely thank Abi for his contributions to the club during what has been a very challenging year.
“In particular, we appreciate the personal sacrifices made by him due to his family residing in London. We wish him every success for the future, and he remains very much a friend of the club.
“We have great confidence in Joe successfully taking over the reins as COO of the club, given his 20 years to date on our board of directors, along with his deep experience in owning and running his own businesses.
“The management changes also follow on from and reflect an organisational demarcation of the rugby and commercial sides of the business, which have been implemented recently to meet the growing complexities and demands of the sport.
“The club remains determined to improve performances at every level, both on and off the pitch, in an increasingly demanding and competitive sporting landscape.”
