Bulls appoint promising young Rathbone as new CEO
The Blue Bulls Company hopes that the energy their young new CEO will bring to Pretoria will be the right medicine to revive the glory days at Loftus Versfeld.
The Blue Bulls Company’s new Chief Executive Officer is only 33 years old, but the majority of board members believe this young man is the right candidate to lead South Africa’s most successful SuperRugby franchise to reach great heights again.
The Blue Bulls Company (BBCo) yesterday officially confirmed that Edgar Rathbone was appointed as their new CEO following the resignation of Alfons Meyer.
Rathbone, who is current the Managing Director of Ellis Park Stadium (Pty) Ltd, will officially start at the Bulls on 1 June 2020.
Although still very young, he is no stranger to the rugby environment. He has been a pillar and servant to the Lions Rugby Company and Ellis Park for the last seven years, starting his rugby journey as head of Finance and Administration in 2013.
In 2014 he was appointed Chief Financial Officer holding the position for two years, before becoming Chief Financial and Commercial Officer in 2016. In 2017 he was appointed as the managing Director of Ellis Park Stadium, responsible for managing the Ellis Park precinct which includes Emirates Airline Park, Johannesburg Stadium and Ellis Park Indoor Arena as well as being the commercial arm of Lions Rugby Company.
Rathbone comes to Loftus with a very strong commercial background, and truly understands the importance of finding the perfect balance between the evolution of rugby and everything around it, while still treasuring the traditions and the heritage thereof.
He will be instrumental in implementing the Board’s vision of re-establishing the Vodacom Bulls and Blue Bulls as a force on the field, while making Loftus a venue that will become synonymous with great live experiences whether it be rugby, football or other social events.
Rathbone grew up in Somerset East and spent most of his childhood in the Eastern Cape where he attended Gill College. He later attended Stellenbosch University, obtaining B.Acc (Hons) Accounting. While there, he also became a regular scrumhalf for Maties at junior level. He currently lives in Pretoria together with his wife Pauline and their two children.
According to Rathbone h is very eager to get going and he looks forward to the challenge that awaits him at Loftus Versfeld.
“I have always had immense respect for the Bulls and I’m extremely excited about this new chapter in my life. I am sincerely looking forward to getting stuck in and doing my best to add to the legacy of the Bulls. Even though it’s extremely sad saying goodbye to my colleagues at the Lions, I do look forward to making new friends and partnerships at Loftus,” he commented.
Pieter Uys, chairman of the BBCo board said they are also looking forward to Rathbone’s arrival and the energy he will bring as a very promising young rugby administrator.
“We are extremely excited to welcome Edgar to the Bulls. He is a vibrant young man, with an extremely dynamic mindset and way of thinking. Edgar is well respected in the rugby industry and has done some phenomenal work with the Lions. We firmly believe that he will play a major role in taking the Bulls brand forward into a new era,” said Uys.
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