Scottish Rugby (SRU) has sacked CEO Alex Williamson after a lengthy investigation into his conduct.
Williamson was placed on extended leave in May this year as an independent investigation was launched into matters that had been brought to the attention of the SRU board.
The governing body gave no details as to the specifics of the investigation but, after a months-long process, announced that he had been removed permanently from his position.
Chairman of Scottish Rugby Limited, John McGuigan, said in a statement: “The board of Scottish Rugby has today dismissed Alex Williamson from his position as chief executive with immediate effect. His dismissal follows the conclusion of an independent investigation into matters that were brought to the board’s attention earlier this year.
“In light of the investigation findings the board of Scottish Rugby concluded that the CEO’s conduct had fallen significantly below the standards we set as an organisation.”
Current chief financial officer David White looks set to become interim chief executive while the governing body begins the process of finding a permanent replacement.
Williamson was appointed as the successor to departing CEO Mark Dodson in September 2024 and began work at Murrayfield in early 2025.
He previously ran the Goodwood Estate and was a former CEO of department store chain House of Fraser but has been sacked around 18 months after taking up the role at Scottish Rugby.
The SRU will now have to seek a replacement less than two years after its previous recruitment process, which caused plenty of frustration when it thought it had landed former Northampton Saints chief executive Mark Darbon, only for him to take the CEO position with golf governing body the R&A at the last minute instead.
Scottish Rugby is entering a hugely important period, with the inaugural Nations Championship continuing with games at Murrayfield this autumn, a pivotal Six Nations in the spring and then the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia next October.
Given his previous success at large organisations, Williamson’s arrival at Murrayfield was hailed by the SRU, who said in a statement at the time: “He has a proven track record of achieving commercial growth, accelerating the transformation of established businesses to achieve improved performance and, at the same time, consistently emphasising the importance of authenticity, openness and community values.”
Williamson himself highlighted the importance of his role beyond just on-pitch success, saying he would be “shaping the future of something that is about so much more than rugby. A sport that brings families together, inspires fans and connects communities in the way Scottish rugby does makes it more important than ever.”
However, there is now uncertainty at the top of the organisation once more.
