R&A taps Mark Darbon as new CEO

The R&A has tapped Premiership Rugby team exec Mark Darbon as the organization's new CEO, a role he will officially take on "later this year." Darbon, who is currently the CEO of the Northampton Saints, will join the St Andrews-based governing body in November after being appointed as the successor for Martin Slumbers. He "will also take over from Slumbers" the role of secretary of The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews, as Slumbers announced earlier this year that he was stepping down after nine years in the dual roles. Darbon is also a "former senior member" of the team leading the London Organizing Committee for the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games in 2012 (THE SCOTSMAN, 7/1).