Warriors appoint new CEO

Cullen Sports chairman Maurice Kidd today announced Aucklander Wayne Scurrah had been appointed as the Vodafone Warriors? new CEO. Scurrah (45) has been North Harbour Stadium?s general manager since June 2001 but will cross the Auckland Harbour Bridge to take up his role with the National Rugby League (NRL) franchise at its Ericsson Stadium base in Penrose. Kidd said the Cullen Sports board was delighted it had been able to secure Scurrah?s services so soon after Mick Watson?s resignation was announced less than two weeks ago. ?Wayne fits our profile for the job perfectly,? said Kidd. ?Commercial priorities were vital in appointing our new CEO and we also wanted someone who has a proven track record in building relationships and developing a long-term culture within an environment like the Vodafone Warriors.? Majority shareholder Eric Watson added he was delighted the Vodafone Warriors had secured a person of Scurrah?s calibre and welcomed him to the organisation. Scurrah has a past history as a rugby league player and a more recent one of working alongside the Vodafone Warriors, the New Zealand Rugby League and the Bartercard Cup side the North Harbour Tigers. ?I?ve had an association with them on a commercial basis through ventures involving North Harbour Stadium,? he said. ?I?m excited about being offered the challenge to lead and manage an organisation like the Vodafone Warriors. ?The board?s vision is to make the Vodafone Warriors rugby league?s premier franchise on and off the field. While we have a lot of work to do to achieve that I?m confident we have the expertise right across the club and within the New Zealand league environment to become a force to be respected.? The NZRL also welcomed Scurrah?s appointment. ?We have worked very well with Wayne at North Harbour Stadium and look forward to working with him in a positive and productive manner in the future,? said NZRL chairman Selwyn Pearson. Scurrah has a long career in business management roles, previously spending eight years as Schwarzkopf New Zealand?s managing director in Auckland. He played rugby league in his earlier years at Point Chevalier, Mount Albert, Bay-Roskill and Ponsonby before finishing at a young age to concentrate on his working career. Kidd also announced today that Vodafone Warriors general manager Spiro Tsiros had been appointed acting CEO with immediate effect to help with the transitional period until Scurrah moves into his position.

FACT FILE ? WAYNE SCURRAH

Born: June 8, 1960 Birthplace: Auckland Family status: Married to Laura (three children ? Irene, Riley and Eliza) Education: Mount Roskill Grammar School Post-graduate: Marketing Management, Otago University Accounting for Non Accountants, University of Auckland Diploma of Management University of NSW Employment: North Harbour Stadium 2001-2005 (general manager) Schwarzkopf NZ Ltd 1991-2001 (managing director 1993-2001) 1977-1991: Sales and marketing positions with a variety of New Zealand and Australian companies Leisure Interests: Skiing, running, golf, sports, reading, residential property renovation and investment, fun times with family and friends