St Andrews Links Trust has appointed Richard Holland as its new chief executive, taking up the position on 1 September after moving to St Andrews with his family.
Holland was previously chief executive of Cardiff Rugby for 14 years. Prior to that a wide-ranging career has seen him in a variety of leadership roles including executive director of Chepstow and Hereford racecourses, and vice-president of corporate relations and sales at the Celtic Manor in Wales. Additionally, he chaired the Board of Trustees for the Cardiff Rugby Community Foundation since its inception in 2018.
Holland was appointed following an extensive recruitment process following the departure of the Links Trust’s former chief executive Neil Coulson earlier this year.
His arrival comes at an exciting time for the Home of Golf as the organisation readies itself to host The 155th Open on the Old Course next year, with preparations for the championship well underway.
Over the next few weeks, he will begin engaging with his new colleagues, the local community and partners of the Links Trust.
The role will involve oversight of an organisation with more than 450 staff and the responsibility for managing eight courses at the Home of Golf, including the historic Old Course where golf has been played for more than 600 years.
A key priority will be the successful delivery of the Trust’s strategic vision to operate sustainably, reinvesting into the management and preservation of the historic Links and its facilities on behalf of the town of St Andrews and its visitors.
As a registered charity, the Links Trust has an objective to increase public participation in sport, while it also acts as a key economic driver for the local, regional and national tourism economy. A recent study found that St Andrews Links generated £317m for Scotland’s economy annually, supporting more than 4,300 jobs across the country.
Holland, who plays off an 11 handicap, said: “I’m honoured to be appointed to lead the Home of Golf into its next chapter. St Andrews Links has an extraordinary history, and I’m excited to play a part in ensuring we continue to respect what has gone before, while shaping an exciting future as golf grows in popularity and inspires people around the world, and right here in St Andrews. My first few weeks will be spent meeting and listening to people in the town and beyond as my family and I settle into our new home.
He added: “I’m looking forward to getting to know the team at the Trust, our partners and the local community as we continue to celebrate everything that makes the Home of Golf unique, create accessible pathways into the sport and deliver world-class experiences ensuring that we continue to work constructively to support golf locally, around Fife and further afield.”
Sandra Tuddenham, Chair of Trustees at St Andrews Links Trust, said: “We are delighted to have appointed Richard Holland. He is a highly experienced chief executive with a long track record of leading heritage-rich, publicly scrutinised sporting and hospitality organisations. His appointment comes at an exciting time for St Andrews Links as preparations to host The 155th Open next year gather pace, and we are confident that he will build on the Trust’s proud legacy while shaping a sustainable future for the Home of Golf.”