Scottish Rugby announced today that Charles Shaw, former President of Greenock Wanderers RFC, has been appointed the Chairman of the new Board for the Glasgow Warriors professional rugby team.

With a background in marketing and strategic development, after working for Golden Wonder Ltd and Bass UK Ltd, Shaw spent two decades with Whyte & Mackay Distillers. Initially, in 1979, as marketing manager, he progressed to play a pivotal role as Group Board Marketing & Corporate Development Director and later, in 1994, as Chief Executive of Invergordon Distillers.

Since 1999, the 55 year old has been involved in several consultancy and non executive directorship roles. This has included being the co-founder and non-executive chairman of 5pm Limited, the popular online restaurants bookings start-up business, chairman of software development company X402 Ltd, director of commercial property development company Location Developments Limited and an advisor for the EU Commission on E-commerce.

Shaw’s appointment to chair the Warriors Board is with immediate effect and he will now be responsible for establishing the formation of the new pro team Board.

Commenting on his appointment as chairman, Charles Shaw said,

“This is a fascinating time to be getting involved with professional rugby in Scotland and especially with the Warriors back at Hughenden.

“There’s no doubt about the challenges that lie ahead but I am encouraged by a real sense of team spirit around the squad and will waste no time in getting behind the team and supporting them in this new capacity as Board Chairman.

“Having worked and studied in the city most of my life, I understand Glasgow and the sense of pride shared by everybody living there. The Warriors are making every effort to reach out to the community and I am keen to play a part in helping them do so.”

The new pro team Board led by Shaw, will work closely with Gordon McKie, Chief Executive of Scottish Rugby.

“We didn’t rush into appointing a Board chairman for the Glasgow team as we were determined to select the most suitable individual. I am impressed by Charles’ business background, commitment and energy and I recognise he also offers an essential ingredient for the post – an understanding and passion for rugby in Glasgow.

“We all want Glasgow Warriors to go from strength to strength and we now see signs of this happening. With Sean Lineen as coach, an upbeat squad of players, a return to fortress Hughenden and the establishment of the pro team board, the pieces in the jigsaw are falling into place.”

Glasgow Warriors are one of two professional rugby teams owned by Scottish Rugby, along with Border Reivers. Although the Glasgow Board will not have executive powers, it will, never the less, play an important part in integrating the Warriors within the wider Glasgow community and help to increase attendances.

Gordon McKie added, “It’s important to establish robust, local, Boards for both Glasgow Warriors and Border Reivers. David Kilshaw’s appointment last month to chair the Borders Board has already demonstrated this is the right course of action for our pro teams. I’m most encouraged by the commitment he is giving to the Reivers and I’m sure Charles Shaw’s appointment today will prove to be equally good news for the Warriors.”

As Board Chairman, Shaw will also seek to establish closer links with the team’s very loyal supporters group, season ticket holders and neighbouring clubs in the west of Scotland.

Charles Shaw is married, with two sons, and lives in Greenock.

This article was posted on 4-Oct-2006, 11:53 by Hugh Barrow.