The Ospreys have hired a specialist in corporate finance and IT systems to help launch a number of exciting new business ventures.
Peter Hawkins, the owner of Hawkeye Business Solutions, a business advisory company that primarily helps companies raise funds, joins the region as a consultant.
He will be assisting the commercial team on various projects including the launch of a new investors club designed to allow individuals and businesses to become more closely involved in the region, its inner workings and ultimately become part of shaping its future. Further details on this will be announced in the coming weeks.
“We are very excited to welcome Peter to the set up here at the Ospreys,” said Andrew Hore, Chief Operations Officer at the region.
“We have some very exciting projects in the pipeline that require someone with in-depth experience in business and finance heading them up. We believe Peter has all the qualities we’re looking for and we are looking forward to announcing more details about the projects he is working on in the near future.”
Before forming Hawkeye Business Solutions, Peter was the Vice-President of Global Sales and Marketing at Omniware Ltd, a supplier of project management systems to international energy companies and he is also a Non-Executive Director of Bay Leisure, the holding company that runs Swansea leisure centre The LC, Wales’ most popular paid for tourist destination.
Commenting on his appointment with the Ospreys, Peter said:
“I am a lifelong rugby fan with a deep passion for the game. Since moving to Wales over a decade ago, I have become an avid Ospreys fan and acquired a great interest in the commercial potential of regional rugby. My role is to help the business turn some of the ideas I have around this into a reality.”
Andrew Hore added:
“It is no secret that these are tough times financially for all the regions, as is the case for the wider business community in general. With the finances available to clubs in France and England, we cannot hope to match the salaries being offered elsewhere to players.
“As a single region, there is only so much we can do to counter that. We have worked very hard to put our financial house in order throughout 2012 and we are exploring a number of commercial ideas that we believe will help improve the situation further. The net result if they are successful will be a better chance of keeping our best players here while also increasing investment into community rugby once again, further helping to develop the next generation.”
Peter’s credentials stack up perfectly for the Ospreys, who are looking to capitalise on recent successes on the pitch by launching several innovative new business ventures, which Peter will drive forward.
On top of that, his experience on the pitch means he understands the heart and soul of a rugby club and what really makes it tick having played rugby at the highest level for Saracens between 1970 and 1980 and also coached Moseley RFC between 1990 and 1995.