Who should replace Abi Ekoku as CEO?

[Worzel]

8 minutes ago, Hopie said:

Got until March to sort it out:
 

Can't wait to see the job advert. 

The brass neck of this. Making out the last Board just all surprisingly "resigned", creating a situation the cabal had to respond to reactively. Yeah, ok mate.    

People on this forum were flagging what was about to happen before it happened, it's like we're all being asked to delete part of our memory. Comedy gold this. 

[LeeF]

3 hours ago, OriginalMrC said:

Had the pleasure of meeting Abi Ekoku at a charity do once. He was surprisingly down to earth and VERY funny

Did he just sit there going “no comment” throughout the event?

[Worzel]

10 minutes ago, Hopie said:

Can't wait to see the job advert. 

Chief Exec:

"Must have built at least one hotel in the Carribean in the last 20 years" 

Chairman:

"The combination of having worked for the BBC in finance, and having run a northern-based, oval-ball collision sport previously would be highly desirable. Applications from people with the first name Nigel would be particulary welcome, as people from that community are presently under-represented in the organisation"

[gingerjon]

17 minutes ago, Worzel said:

The brass neck of this. Making out the last Board just all surprisingly "resigned", creating a situation the cabal had to respond to reactively. Yeah, ok mate.    

People on this forum were flagging what was about to happen before it happened, it's like we're all being asked to delete part of our memory. Comedy gold this. 

Aren't we also memory holing that we were told - not officially because nothing is - that this had already been sorted?

Anyway, back to this organisation that doesn't officially comment when asked, "So who is your CEO?"

[Martyn Sadler]

21 minutes ago, LeeF said:

So it came from a burner phone? 

Brilliant!

I didn't think you would have the intelligence to work it out.

[LeeF]

5 minutes ago, Martyn Sadler said:

Brilliant!

I didn't think you would have the intelligence to work it out.

Your fault for underestimating me

[Archie Gordon]

40 minutes ago, Worzel said:

The brass neck of this. Making out the last Board just all surprisingly "resigned", creating a situation the cabal had to respond to reactively. Yeah, ok mate.    

People on this forum were flagging what was about to happen before it happened, it's like we're all being asked to delete part of our memory. Comedy gold this. 

Yeah. This is now the lie that is being established - that the old Board just resigned a propos of nothing.

The poor lad had greatness thrust upon him.

[Dave T]

Didn't Johnson offer to walk at the end of the year but was ousted because some people werent happy with that?

[Archie Gordon]

Just now, Dave T said:

Didn't Johnson offer to walk at the end of the year but was ousted because some people werent happy with that?

Yes. 

We needed to sort Salford out quick smart and fit in a whole game strategic review by July. 

[Just Browny]

5 minutes ago, Dave T said:

Didn't Johnson offer to walk at the end of the year but was ousted because some people werent happy with that?

Urgent action was needed. 

[Wakefield Ram]

So fully compliant by the time Ekoku is perhaps appointed CEO on a permanent basis without any recruitment process then....?

Edited November 14, 2025 by Wakefield Ram

[lucky 7]

8 hours ago, marklaspalmas said:

Pretty certain he was never at Fev

That's what it said om wikipedia for what it's worth for a short time.

[lucky 7]

10 hours ago, Dave T said:

Maybe you could answer the question that is often asked about his CV? What's he been up to, because he appears to be pretty anonymous.

Yes since 2005

[lucky 7]

6 hours ago, Hopie said:

Got until March to sort it out:
 

Can't wait to see the job advert. 

I seriously doubt if it will be advertised in more than one or two newspapers, if at all. We already know who will get the job IF he wants it.

[The Future is League]

On 14/11/2025 at 15:21, Wakefield Ram said:

Ekoku was appointed as interim CEO and does not have any experience of administrating a national sport or negotiating £multi-milion TV deals, so who should replace him?

Of course the RFL will want to have a transparent recruitment process to address Sport England concerns over governance.

I would prefer someone from outside RL without any club ties. Imho Richard Lewis and David Oxley (going back there) have been two of the best CEOs.

If I was a betting man, I reckon it will be Ekoku and the sport will pay the price. 

Has he worked with Big Nige before somewhere?

[The Future is League]

19 hours ago, marklaspalmas said:

Pretty certain he was never at Fev

https://www.rugby-league.com/governance/about-the-rfl/board

[The Future is League]

17 hours ago, Hopie said:

Got until March to sort it out:
 

Can't wait to see the job advert. 

You might have a long wait

[Worzel]

16 hours ago, Archie Gordon said:

Yes. 

We needed to sort Salford out quick smart and fit in a whole game strategic review by July. 

Yes, it was vital we solved the Salford situation quickly and had a rapid strategic review into the wider game. 

Thank goodness those things happened, we’d be in a right old mess if it had been just left to drag on with no conclusion on either front. 

[Just Browny]

Just now, Worzel said:

Yes, it was vital we solved the Salford situation quickly and had a rapid strategic review into the wider game. 

Thank goodness those things happened, we’d be in a right old mess if it had been just left to drag on with no conclusion on either front. 

Meanwhile we've made a pretty long list of random individual decisions that seem to cause as many issues than they solve:

- Scrapping DR for 1-week loans

- 14 team Super League, with diversion of Ashes profits apparently paying the bill

- 21 team Champo, with the scrapping of the League 1 playoffs as a Brucie Bonus

- No internationals until October 2026

- Massive increase in overseas quota

- Complete overhaul of NCL that few people seem to want

 

[paulwalker71]

Four pages in and I don't see anyone who has actually answered the question in the thread title

....which says something about the paucity of potential candidates

Edited November 15, 2025 by paulwalker71

[Worzel]

15 minutes ago, paulwalker71 said:

Four pages in and I don't see anyone who has actually answered the question in the thread title

....which says something about the paucity of potential candidates

Sally Bolton

She’s now 5 years in to her Lawn Tennis job, and so likely ready for a move. She’s doubled their revenues, navigated Covid, made huge progress on major facilities projects, and the staff rate her: 4.5 out of 5 on Glassdoor, with an 83% CEO approval rating. 

But let’s appoint some random bloke from West Yorkshire instead, because he ran the Bulls for 18 months 20 years ago and has built a hotel in the Caribbean.

[gingerjon]

4 minutes ago, Worzel said:

Sally Bolton

She’s now 5 years in to her Lawn Tennis job, and so likely ready for a move. She’s doubled their revenues, navigated Covid, made huge progress on major facilities projects, and the staff rate her: 4.5 out of 5 on Glassdoor, with an 83% CEO approval rating. 

But let’s appoint some random bloke from West Yorkshire instead, because he ran the Bulls for 18 months 20 years ago and has built a hotel in the Caribbean.

You were doing so well.

This is absolutely no comment on Sally Bolton but we had *years* of, "Give it to Sally Bolton" for literally anything following the RLWC 2013. Casting the net wide does actually mean casting the net wide.

[super major]

2 hours ago, Worzel said:

 

 

But let’s appoint some random bloke from West Yorkshire instead, because he ran the Bulls for 18 months 20 years ago and has built a hotel in the Caribbean.

And he's funny!

He may be the best man for the job but it looks like he may start with low support from the fans.

Saying V,landys et al were impressed may mean they thought he could be outmanouvered

[marklaspalmas]

16 hours ago, lucky 7 said:

That's what it said om wikipedia for what it's worth for a short time.

Always check your sources 

[Click]

2 minutes ago, marklaspalmas said:

Always check your sources 

What sources could you point to for Ekoku?

Just to help people from avoiding such mistakes