Mark Thompson

Mark Thompson is the Chief Executive Officer of Saracens Group, a role he assumed in January 2024.4 With a background in sports and entertainment leadership, Thompson brings extensive experience to his position at the renowned rugby organization.

Career Highlights

Saracens Group: Thompson oversees a diverse range of interests at Saracens, including both men's and women's rugby teams.2 His responsibilities encompass managing the business activities of the club, which includes revenue generation, media and marketing, and shared services.1

Previous Roles: Before joining Saracens, Thompson held several senior positions in the sports industry:

• Chief Operating Officer and Chief Commercial Officer at Burnley Football Club (March 2022 - August 2023)
• Chief of Staff at Burnley Football Club (October 2021 - March 2022)
• Senior Vice President and North America Lead at Two Circles, a data-driven sports marketing agency (February 2017 - August 2018)
• Senior Commercial Roles at City Football Group (January 2014 - February 2017)

Expertise

Thompson's career demonstrates a strong focus on:

• Strategic planning and business development in sports
• Commercial operations, including sponsorships, ticketing, and retail
• Media and marketing, including communications, content, and digital strategies
• Data-driven approaches to sports management and marketing

Vision for Saracens

As the new CEO, Thompson has expressed enthusiasm for his role at Saracens, describing it as an organization known for its investment in people and on-field success.4 He has been actively involved in discussions about the future of rugby, including topics such as TV broadcast deals and addressing financial challenges in the sport.3

Thompson's leadership comes at a time when Saracens, like many rugby clubs, faces financial pressures. He has been open about discussing the club's path away from recent losses and exploring strategies to ensure the sustainability and growth of both Saracens and the wider rugby union landscape.35