St Andrews, Scotland: The R&A has appointed Phil Anderton as Chief Development Officer.
Anderton will bring a wealth of experience and business acumen to the executive management team role having held a number of senior positions in sport.
Following Duncan Weir’s recent retirement after 35 years with The R&A, Anderton will take on Weir’s strategic and operational responsibilities for Golf Development and Amateur Championships. He will also assume responsibility for Sustainability, the British Golf Museum and for The R&A’s international offices in Singapore and Argentina.
Martin Slumbers, Chief Executive of The R&A, said: “Phil joins us at a time when the importance of developing golf around the world and building momentum on the growing interest in the sport has never been more important.
“He is very well placed to harness the investment we make to grow golf in so many different ways and ensure it is managed sustainably. Phil will play a key role in shaping our future strategy and delivering our commitment to ensuring golf is thriving in 50 years’ time.”
Anderton said: “I am delighted to be starting a new role working for The R&A and it is a privilege to be given the opportunity to help shape the sport worldwide.
“Our goal is to ensure the sport thrives by becoming more appealing, accessible and inclusive and The R&A has a huge role to play in driving that effort. The sport has so much to offer and I look forward to working with our affiliated national associations, federations and partners across golf to make this happen.”
Anderton, who will be based at The R&A’s headquarters in St Andrews, knows the home of golf well having graduated from the town’s University in 1988 with an MA in Management and International Relations. He is originally from Edinburgh.
His early career involved roles with Procter & Gamble and The Coca-Cola Company before he moved into high profile roles in Scottish and international sport. He was Chief Executive of both the Scottish Rugby Union and Heart of Midlothian Football Club; Chief Marketing Officer of the ATP Tour and Chairman of the ATP World Tour Finals; and Chief Executive of Al Jazira Sports Club in Abu Dhabi.
Anderton has a wealth of knowledge and experience of implementing and delivering on business strategy in sport. While at the ATP, he reviewed the golf industry’s work in growing participation at grass-roots level to help inform tennis. More recently, he has run his own consultancy businesses.
Golf has also been a lifetime interest for Anderton, both as a fan and as a keen player. He recently joined Gullane and plays to a handicap of 12.
