The Hong Kong Rugby Union (HKRU) is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr Robbie McRobbie, as Deputy Chief Executive Officer and CEO Designate for the Union.

Mr McRobbie will assume the Chief Executive Officer position on a permanent basis following the planned departure of Mr Vern Reid, current CEO, after the completion of his contract after the Cathay Pacific/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens in 2017.

Mr Reid, the incumbent Chief Executive, was engaged in 2013 with one of the key performance indicators of his tenure to help identify and mentor a future Chief Executive Officer.

Following a recruitment process which focused on candidates from within the HKRU, Mr Robbie McRobbie, the current General Manager of Rugby Operations and Commercial has been named to the position.

“On behalf of the Hong Kong Rugby Union, I am pleased to confirm that our succession plan for the Chief Executive’s position is in place and on target for a seamless transition. I am personally delighted for Robbie and even more so that this appointment was made on an internal basis, rewarding the long-working servants of the game from within our own community,” said Mr Pieter Schats, Chairman of the Hong Kong Rugby Union.

“Vern has done an outstanding job during his tenure and still has some key goals to achieve in his remaining time as CEO, particularly around the implementation of the Hong Kong Rugby Union’s recently completed strategic plan. We are thankful to him for his diligence and commitment and for overseeing a period of steady growth in the local game and at the HKRU during this period,” Mr Schats added.

A well known face in local rugby and sporting circles, Mr McRobbie has been employed by the HKRU since 2003, rising from the position of Community Rugby Manager to his most recent post of General Manager of Rugby Operations and Commercial at the Union.

“One of the primary reasons behind my appointment was to help identify and mentor my replacement as Chief Executive. Fortunately, I did not have to look far as the HKRU is blessed with many top class senior executives. Of these, Mr McRobbie was the standout candidate with his long service to the Union and familiarity with local rugby and sports and government circles.

“I still have much to achieve in my time as Chief Executive and look forward to working closely with Robbie, our Board of Directors and our team at the HKRU to ensure the solid and sustainable growth of the Hong Kong Rugby Union,” said Vern Reid, incumbent CEO for the HKRU.

A graduate of Oxford University, Mr McRobbie arrived in Hong Kong in 1992 as a member of the Royal Hong Kong Police. After serving 11 years as an inspector in the New Territories followed by a stint as an instructor, Mr McRobbie was appointed the assistant manger of the Police Officers’ Club and has also served as the programme host for the televised ‘Police Report’ programme.

After attaining a Sports and Recreation Management qualification from the Hong Kong University SPACE programme, Mr McRobbie joined the Hong Kong Rugby Union in 2003 as Community Rugby Manager. Mr McRobbie is a tireless proponent of grassroots rugby development having been integrally involved in the launch of the Sai Kung Stingrays, Hong Kong Scottish and Discipline Services rugby clubs.

During his tenure at the HKRU, Mr McRobbie developed additional expertise in facilities and event management and for the past three years has been overseeing the HKRU’s Commercial Department.

Mr McRobbie served as the match manager for the hosting of the two successful Bledisloe Cups in Hong Kong in 2008 and 2010, and was also heavily involved in the British & Irish Lions versus Barbarians match in 2013 as well as the annual Cathay Pacific/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens.

On the pitch, McRobbie played for the Hong Kong Police rugby club from 1992 and represented Hong Kong ‘A’ in both fifteen-a-side and sevens rugby. Mr McRobbie is also a Director of local sports charity Operation Breakthrough, which uses sport as a medium to help at-risk youth.

“I am deeply honoured to be given this tremendous opportunity and I look forward to working with the Union Board and our incredible team of very dedicated staff to continue the success of Hong Kong Rugby. In my opinion we have the greatest rugby community in the global game and it is a great privilege and a tremendous responsibility to be entrusted with the role of Chief Executive,” said Mr McRobbie.