Ellis Park bid farewell to Rathbone
Blue Bulls Company (Pty) Ltd welcomed Rathbone as their CEO.
While Ellis Park Stadium (Pty) Ltd (EPS) bids farewell to managing director Edgar Rathbone, the Blue Bulls Company (Pty) Ltd (BBCo) welcomed him as their CEO.
Rathbone has been instrumental in securing the sponsorships of the Emirates Lions and Xerox Golden Lions Rugby Teams respectively, as well as the success of Emirates Airline Park as a test and events venue. He joined the Lions Rugby Group in 2013 as financial and administrative manager before becoming chief financial officer in 2014.
In 2017, Rathbone became managing director of EPS while continuing his role as commercial manager within the Lions Rugby Company. He described the decision to take up the offer as a very difficult one to make.
“It has been an enormous privilege to have led EPS during an important period of transformation and growth. I am proud to have worked with remarkable colleagues and will always cherish these memories. “I want to thank the Lions for the support they have given me during the last seven and a half years. I was given the opportunity I wished for to work in rugby at a very young age.
“My time with them has been nothing short of memorable, with the highs outweighing the lows. “This includes various successful sponsorship agreements and a host of sold-out events, all the interactions with the loyal Lions members and suite owners and especially the relationship I have with Rudolf (Straeuli) and Altmann (Allers), who taught me so much about rugby and business,” said Rathbone.
Rudolf Straeuli, chief executive officer of the Lions Rugby Company, expressed his sadness, but also well wishes at the loss of Rathbone, who has been a confidante and good friend during their time together.
“We understand and support his decision to take up this offer and we are grateful for the many accomplishments under his watch. I look forward to working with him on a new front and now together as CEOs, although ‘competitors’, we will always share our passion for the game and longevity for the sport,” said Straeuli.
Altmann Allers, owner of EPS and chairperson of Lions Rugby Company, wished Rathbone all the best for the next chapter of his career.
“Edgar joined us during a very challenging time when the Lions just came back into Super Rugby. “One of his immediate responsibilities was to get the business back on track commercially through securing additional sponsorships and generating new revenue streams for the Lions.
“Through hard work and determination, he managed to show positive results within a short period. When Rudolf joined the Lions a few months later, they formed a formidable team which led to countless successes on various levels.
“With his passion and interest in all aspects of rugby, Edgar grew and reached great heights which added value to the Lions. We will miss him and wish him all the best in the next chapter of his already remarkable career,” concluded Allers.
Rathbone will officially start at the Vodacom Bulls on June 1.
Rathbone comes to Loftus with a very strong commercial background and truly understands the importance of finding the perfect balance between the evolution of rugby and everything around it, while still treasuring the traditions and the heritage thereof.
He will be instrumental in implementing the Board’s vision of re-establishing the Vodacom Bulls and Blue Bulls as a force on the field, while making Loftus a venue that will become synonymous with great live experiences whether it be rugby, football or other social events.
Rathbone grew up in Somerset East and spent most of his childhood in the Eastern Cape, where he attended Gill College. He later attended Stellenbosch University, obtaining BAcc (Hons) Accounting. While there, he also became a regular scrumhalf for Maties at junior level.
He lives in Pretoria with his wife, Pauline, and their two children. Pieter Uys, chairperson of the BBCo board welcomed Rathbone.
“We are extremely excited to welcome Edgar to the #BullsFamily. He is a vibrant young man with an extremely dynamic mindset and way of thinking. “Edgar is well respected in the rugby industry and has done some phenomenal work with the Lions. We firmly believe he will play a major role in taking the Bulls brand forward into a new era.”
