Former London Wasps and Queens Park Rangers chief executive David Davies has been appointed managing director of Edinburgh Rugby.
Davies takes over the running of the Murrayfield club from Craig Docherty, who will complete a transition into his new role as Scottish Rugby's head of retail and product licensing.
Scottish Rugby director of commercial operations, communications and public affairs, Dominic McKay, said: "We're delighted to welcome such an experienced operator as David Davies as the new managing director of Edinburgh Rugby.
"David has a huge amount of knowledge and experience gained from delivering countless world class events in and outside of the sport and has a proven track record of driving up interest and revenues in a very impressive career. I'm sure he will make a big impact on Edinburgh Rugby's off-field operation."
Davies' most recent posting was as chief executive responsible for running the Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin, New Zealand's biggest indoor stadium and host of four 2011 Rugby World Cup pool matches.
He moves to the capital with 28 years of international leisure, events and sports management experience, and as well as his time with Wasps and QPR, also boasts a stint as the chairman of British Ice Hockey on his CV.
He enjoyed a four-year spell as chief executive at Loftus Road with the then npower Championship side before switching to rugby for a further three influential years as chief executive of then Heineken Cup champions Wasps.
He established the club in their new Adams Park home in High Wycombe and played a key role in the creation of the Anglo-Welsh Cup.
Davies said: "I'd like to thank Craig Docherty and his team for all the hard work that pre-dates my appointment, and look forward to working with them in the coming seasons to build on their successes.
"I feel privileged to get this opportunity as there is a huge amount of potential in the club from which a very bright future can be shaped. It's a very exciting time for the club and I'm delighted to be part of it."
Davies will start in the post full-time on Monday, April 15, and will be introduced to supporters in the coming weeks after shadowing Docherty for a period.
Docherty said: "I've thoroughly enjoyed my time as the club's MD and believe that David takes the reins of Edinburgh Rugby at a very exciting time, with more fans than ever before, a vastly improved match-day experience and a growing commercial income stream thanks to improved partnerships with the city's business community.
"I now look forward to a new chapter in my career, combining my retail experience with that of the professional game to support the Scottish Rugby commercial team continue to grow commercial revenues.
"I wish David and the club every success and will remain as one of the club's biggest fans in the seasons to come."
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