Ospreys Rugby are delighted to announce the appointment of Huw Warren as Commercial Manager at the Liberty Stadium.
- Former Business Development Manager at Bath RFC appointed Commercial Manager for Ospreys Rugby
- Immediate challenge is to establish a commercial strategy to allow Ospreys to fully exploit growth in digital and international channels
- Managing Director, Andrew Millward, hails the appointment as "a significant coup"
He joins the region ahead of the new season from Aviva Premiership side Bath, where he held the post of Business Development Manager, leading the sponsorship platform and working with global brands such as Dyson and Red Bull.
Originally hailing from Abergavenny in Wales and with family ties to Swansea, Huw previously worked in 7s rugby, establishing tournaments and working for a leading global brand Ultimate Rugby Sevens, having completed a Masters Degree in International Management from Exeter University.
“I’m excited to join the Ospreys” he said.
“As a rugby business, they already have a strong commercial brand and I’m looking forward to working with the team to strengthen it further. It’s clear that the board has a clear vision and ambition to develop the brand, and the senior management team at the Ospreys share that ambition.
“The commercial landscape in rugby is changing fast, with digital and international growth opening up exciting opportunities. My immediate challenge will be to establish a commercial strategy that will enable Ospreys Rugby to fully exploit those opportunities while keeping the strong connection we enjoy with the local business community.
“Also key to my role will be the close relationship with Ospreys in the Community and the London Ospreys Business Network, and pulling all these diverse strands of the business together to develop a clear commercial pathway for the future.”
Andrew Millward, Managing Director, Ospreys Rugby, stressed the importance of the appointment, saying:
“This is a significant coup for the business. Huw is a forward thinking, well connected and commercially focused individual who will bring his experience and contacts from the cutting edge of Premiership Rugby, and help to continue driving the Ospreys brand.
“The growth of our commercial operation, with year on year revenue increases, has been a big part of our financial turnaround, but we understand that the way big companies do business and what they expect from a sporting investment is changing.
“Huw has a clear understanding of what the Ospreys are about and where we fit in to the wider, fast changing world of rugby business and, in particular, the opportunities that will open up to us in the coming years. We are delighted to be able to welcome him into the organisation.”
Huw replaces former Commercial Manager, Yarnie Guthrie, who has headed home to New Zealand following five years at the Ospreys to take up an opportunity with the NZRU.
