Scottish Rugby has sacked chief executive Alex Williamson following an extensive conduct inquiry, a move described as hugely embarrassing for the organisation (BBC Sport).

Williamson had been in the role barely 18 months. He joined as CEO in early January 2025, arriving with a commercial pedigree rather than a rugby one — his previous jobs included running the Goodwood Estate and serving as chief executive of House of Fraser, the department store chain. When Scottish Rugby appointed him, their statement highlighted his "proven track record of achieving commercial growth and transforming established businesses" (BBC Sport).

He was not the first choice. Scottish Rugby had tried to hire Mark Darbon, previously chief executive of Northampton Saints — one of England's top-flight Premiership clubs — to replace outgoing CEO Mark Dodson. Darbon turned them down, taking the top job at the R&A in St Andrews (golf's governing body and the organiser of the Open Championship) instead (BBC Sport).

The dismissal leaves Scottish Rugby searching for a new chief executive at a pivotal moment. The union faces a critical 14-month period that includes Nations Championship autumn fixtures at Murrayfield — among them a match against the All Blacks, New Zealand's national team — the Six Nations, and a World Cup beginning in Australia next October (BBC Sport).

That timing is particularly awkward because the on-field picture had been brightening. Scotland's rugby team enjoyed an encouraging Six Nations and summer series before this report, raising hopes that the national side could carry genuine momentum into the World Cup (BBC Sport).

Williamson had been active in the role through the spring and summer of 2025, participating in Scottish Rugby Limited board meetings on 27 March and 26 June of that year. The board is chaired by John McGuigan, with Olaf Gueldner serving as Chief Customer Officer and David White as Chief Financial Officer.

What makes this stand out is the speed of the unraveling. A CEO brought in to modernise and commercially grow Scottish Rugby is gone before his second full season, and the organisation is back to square one in the boardroom while the team builds momentum on the pitch. For Scottish rugby fans, the hope will be that the disruption stays confined to headquarters — and that a new appointment can be made quickly enough to give the World Cup campaign the stable leadership it needs.