IRB Appoints Sodexho and Mike Burton for Rugby World Cup 2011
The joint venture, Rugby Travel & Hospitality ’07 Limited (RTH), successfully managed the hospitality and travel programmes for this year’s Rugby World Cup in France and were re-appointed after a competitive tender process.
Mike Miller, the Chief Executive of the International Rugby Board (IRB) said: “We are pleased to have RTH back on board in 2011. The company has vast operational experience and a highly professional and innovative approach. They delivered successful travel and hospitality programmes in France this year and achieved record sales.”
Mike Johnson, the Managing Director of Sodexho Prestige, the UK’s largest provider of leisure services, said: “We are proud to be in partnership once again with the IRB. It is an important contract and will help us deliver on our long-term strategic objectives.”
Andrew Burton, CEO of the Mike Burton Group, a leading hospitality and sports travel management agency, said: “We are delighted to be re-appointed, and we look forward to working closely with the IRB over the next four years.
“This is a fantastic win for RTH, and is a testament to the dedication and expertise of the team that delivered in 2007.”
In 2008 RTH will establish offices in New Zealand, in order that the development and management of the travel and hospitality programmes will be properly and professionally managed.
The Rugby World Cup is considered the third most important sporting event in the world after the Olympics and the FIFA World Cup. It is watched by more than four billion people around the world, and attracts over two million spectators.
Further Information:
Greg Thomas, IRB Head of Communications +353 86 819 6149, email greg.thomas@irb.com
Tony Barnard, RTH Head of Marketing & Communications, +44 118 965 7837