Saracens reveal Nigel Wray's successor - a 'highly experienced' lawyer' and licensed insolvency practitioner

Saracens have moved to appoint Nigel Wray’s direct successor, naming ‘highly experienced and respected lawyer’ Neil Golding in the role of non-executive chairman.

The club are currently reeling from a £5.4 million fine and a 35 point reduction. This week RugbyPass revealed following an interview with Edward Griffith that the playing squad would be hit by salary and/or job cuts.

Liam Williams will leave the club and England secondrow George Kruis is looking likely to follow him out the door.

Last week Edward Griffiths took up the role of interim CEO, for a 12-month period and now they have found Wray’s immediate successor.

A statement from the club reads: “Neil Golding has today taken up the position of non-executive chairman at Saracens, succeeding Nigel Wray who stepped down earlier this month.

“Golding is a highly experienced and respected lawyer at Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer. His immediate priority as non-executive chairman is to lead and oversee new governance measures including steps to ensure regulatory compliance.

Neil Golding said: “It is an honour to be appointed chairman of Saracens. The success of this great club is rooted in its commitment to the development of talent through its coaches and academy system, player welfare and making a positive impact within its community to create lasting memories.

“I am excited to help build on this wonderful legacy. I also recognise that I am joining the Club at a time of significant change. We, as a board, are strongly committed to introducing new robust processes and working together with other PRL stakeholders in the best interests of Saracens and English rugby.”

His biography describes him as follows: “Neil’s work is frequently contentious in nature and often involves jurisdictions other than England, including Hong Kong, Singapore, Bermuda, the Cayman Islands, Trinidad, Barbados, British Virgin Islands and the Isle of Man.

“As one of the very few solicitors licensed as an insolvency practitioner, he is eligible to be appointed as a liquidator or administrator.”