Key London 2012 official Debbie Jevans will turn her attention to the delivery of the 2015 Rugby World Cup in England after being announced as the new chief executive officer of the organising body for the tournament.

Jevans, currently director of sport at the London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG), will succeed Paul Vaughan in October after England Rugby 2015 announced on Wednesday that he had stepped down as chief executive by mutual consent.

England Rugby 2015 chairman Andy Cosslett said: “This is an exciting appointment for ER 2015. Debbie is hugely respected across sport and rugby will benefit from her experience in leading large teams to deliver major sporting events to a global audience. Armed with this knowledge and pedigree across many facets of multi-sport events we are delighted Debbie has decided to join us. Her London Olympic and Paralympic Games’ experience will be vital as we look forward to hosting the Rugby World Cup.”

Jevans added: “I have spent the last decade planning and delivering the world’s two largest sporting events. This has been an extraordinary journey and I am looking forward to putting my experience and expertise into delivering an exceptional Rugby World Cup in 2015. As a passionate sports fan the next decade is a great one for the UK and we have an amazing opportunity to bring rugby and the values of sport to more fans across the country than ever before. I look forward to starting my new role next month. In the meantime my focus is on continuing to deliver a great Paralympic Games.”

Vaughan was appointed to lead England’s preparations for the World Cup in January 2011, having served as the Rugby Football Union’s (RFU) business operations director for the past decade. Commenting on Vaughan’s departure, Cosslett said: “Paul has been at the heart of the RFU for the past 11 years, most recently here as CEO of ER 2015, where he has laid some very strong foundations. We are grateful to him for all the hard work he and his team have put in to enable ER 2015 to be ready for the next phase. Preparations have been continuing at a good pace, the planning is completely on schedule and stakeholders are comfortable. With just over three years to go, now is a good time to add a fresh injection of experience to take us up to the next level.”

Jevans, currently director of sport at the London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG), will succeed Paul Vaughan in October after England Rugby 2015 announced on Wednesday that he had stepped down as chief executive by mutual consent.

England Rugby 2015 chairman Andy Cosslett said: “This is an exciting appointment for ER 2015. Debbie is hugely respected across sport and rugby will benefit from her experience in leading large teams to deliver major sporting events to a global audience. Armed with this knowledge and pedigree across many facets of multi-sport events we are delighted Debbie has decided to join us. Her London Olympic and Paralympic Games’ experience will be vital as we look forward to hosting the Rugby World Cup.”

Jevans added: “I have spent the last decade planning and delivering the world’s two largest sporting events. This has been an extraordinary journey and I am looking forward to putting my experience and expertise into delivering an exceptional Rugby World Cup in 2015. As a passionate sports fan the next decade is a great one for the UK and we have an amazing opportunity to bring rugby and the values of sport to more fans across the country than ever before. I look forward to starting my new role next month. In the meantime my focus is on continuing to deliver a great Paralympic Games.”

Vaughan was appointed to lead England’s preparations for the World Cup in January 2011, having served as the Rugby Football Union’s (RFU) business operations director for the past decade. Commenting on Vaughan’s departure, Cosslett said: “Paul has been at the heart of the RFU for the past 11 years, most recently here as CEO of ER 2015, where he has laid some very strong foundations. We are grateful to him for all the hard work he and his team have put in to enable ER 2015 to be ready for the next phase. Preparations have been continuing at a good pace, the planning is completely on schedule and stakeholders are comfortable. With just over three years to go, now is a good time to add a fresh injection of experience to take us up to the next level.”

By Matt Cutler

Source: www.sportbusiness.com