Salford Red Devils today announce several additions to the Salford RD Holdings board as co-opted and non-exec Directors following a rigorous recruitment process in collaboration with the RFL and Inclusive Boards.
Whilst strengthening the board by adding valuable and specific skillsets, the new additions will aid the club’s efforts in defining the various sub-committees and delivering the club strategy.
The new composition of the Board of Directors of Salford RD Holdings is as follows:
- Andrew Rosler – Director
- Anna Hardy-Watmough – Director
- David Roberts – Director
- Heather Robinson – Director
- Joanne Hawkins – Director
- Oli Randell – Director
- Paul Trainor – Director
- Paul King – Director
- Shah-Zeib Ahmed – Director
In addition, Alex Romer and Ian Turner have been appointed as Non-Exec Directors.
Bios – Board Additions
Anna Hardy-Watmough
Anna is a Chartered Accountant by profession, who has worked in education for sixteen years, and has taught at Manchester Metropolitan University since 2013. She specialises in financial reporting and governance, and teaches sports governance on a Master’s programme, so is looking forward to putting her theoretical knowledge into practice. Anna is passionate about fan/community engagement, as sport is so much more than ‘just a game’. Anna brings many years of financial and governance experience, having served on a school governing body and a professional accountancy body board, and above all else she is a passionate advocate for Greater Manchester.
Alex Romer
Alex is currently the CEO of We Are Nations, who manufacture and retail apparel and accessories for many of the world’s top esports teams and rights holders.
With a background in sales, marketing and general management, Alex has worked on some of the world’s top sports events including London 2012, 2002 FIFA World Cup and the ATP World Tour. He has also worked as a consultant to many individual sports federations, brands and charities on commercialising their intellectual property rights.
Alex played University and Amateur Rugby League and is looking forward to bringing all his professional experience and personal passion for the game to Salford Red Devils.
Heather Robinson
Heather has been a Salford fan since she was 15 after being introduced by a friend at school who subsequently referred to her as a glory fan after Salford beat Wigan in the Challenge Cup. With a short hiatus, Heather has supported Salford ever since.
Born in Salford, raised in Eccles, this club is in her heart and she is passionate about ensuring we’re around for the next 150 years.
Heather works in IT as VP of Customer Support for Purple – a role she absolutely loves and a company who supports her rugby league obsession. She also helps look after all things disability rugby league related for the Salford Red Devils Foundation, including learning disability rugby league, physical disability rugby league and, more recently, wheelchair rugby league.
With her support, we now have over 50 people participating each week from across Greater Manchester which is fantastic to see. Heather plays physical disability rugby league alongside wheelchair rugby league for both Salford Red Devils and Wigan Warriors ‘A’ team. Her humble brag is that she scored the first ever try for Salford in wheelchair rugby league – a feat that brought her to tears! Alongside this, she is part of the RFL Women’s Leadership and Performance program, developing female coaches.
Heather is passionate about equality and diversity and is the current Chair of Every Body Moves Lived Advisory Board which is part of British Paralympics, driving inclusion in sports and physical activity in people with disabilities.
Corporate social responsibility is a key focus for Heather; believing that as a club we are here to improve our community and remain ethical in our approach.
Ian Turner
Ian has been working successfully in Human Resources roles for the past 25 years across multiple industries including Financial Services, Technology and Telecoms. Currently working as a Talent Director, he specialises in developing Talent pathways, driving organisational performance through its people, Diversity & Inclusion and improving culture and engagement. Providing the right structure and opportunities whilst removing barriers to enable all people, irrespective of age, gender, race or disability, to thrive and be successful is what gets him out of bed each day.
Ian has a clear personal purpose of “lead by how you make others feel” and this drives him to ensure the businesses he works with deliver sustainable success and importantly connect with and benefit their local communities.
Salford Red Devils has the potential, through its people, fans and wider community to collectively deliver something really special and Ian is excited to help the board and members secure a strong and successful future both on and off the pitch and give the fans the success they deserve.
Oli Randell
Oli Randell is an experienced Board Director, operating at a strategic level in Executive Leadership, Finance, Strategy, Process Improvement, Change Management, Risk Management, Corporate Governance and Business Management Systems.
Shah-Zeib Ahmed
Born Austrian, but Manc at heart. Shah joins the SRDRLC Board bringing over a decade’s worth of sports business experiences spanning across the globe. He runs his own consultancy specialising in ticketing having recently worked as the Head of Ticketing at the Rugby League World Cup 2021 and delivered the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.
