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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Sport
Nick Purewal

Lucy Wray to leave Saracens this summer in significant change for the Premiership champions.

Lucy Wray will leave Saracens this summer, after four years as chief executive.

Former Burnley FC chief operating officer Mark Thompson will take the StoneX Stadium helm, in a significant change for the Premiership champions.

Long-time Saracens owner Nigel Wray stepped down as chairman in January 2020 as the salary cap breach punishments bit.

But Six months later Wray's daughter Lucy returned to the board, helping steer Saracens back to the top of the English game.

The Wray family sold Saracens to a group of investors including now chairman Neil Golding and Dominic Silvester in February 2022.

Lucy Wray's continued stewardship as CEO has seen the Men in Black restored to full potency however, culminating in last season's Premiership triumph.

Saracens are back at full potency after a change of ownership (Getty Images)

“Now is the right time for a new adventure and to put myself and my family first albeit this has been a hugely difficult decision to make," said Lucy Wray.

"I have been so honoured to be responsible for this incredible club.

"I have always felt that Saracens really belongs to the fans and the people who care so deeply for it. I have grown up with Saracens as part of me and I will never stop wanting the club to thrive."

Ex-Burnley executive Thompson will arrive at StoneX Stadium this summer, with Saracens aiming for a smooth transition.

“We understand Lucy’s decision and wish her the best for the future," said Saracens chairman Golding.

"I would like to warmly welcome Mark Thompson as our new CEO. Mark was most recently the Chief Operating Officer of Burnley Football Club with considerable leadership responsibilities.

"Mark has tremendous experience in revenue creation, media and marketing, value creation and industry innovation.”

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