St George Illawarra has decided to part ways with chief executive Ryan Webb after opting not to renew his contract following five years in the role. The decision was confirmed during a board meeting on Tuesday morning, with the Dragons now planning to seek an external candidate for the CEO position as they look to move in a new direction.
Ryan Webb, who has been primarily responsible for overseeing the commercial and financial aspects of St George Illawarra, will remain in his role until his contract expires in April next year to help with the club’s transition. Despite his leadership, the Dragons have not reached the NRL finals during his tenure as CEO.
The Dragons, who recently shifted the direction of the football department by sacking former coach Anthony Griffin and appointing Shane Flanagan, believe it’s also time for a new leader in the front office. Club staff were informed of the decision on Tuesday afternoon.
Dragons chairman Andrew Lancaster confirmed the move, stating, “Ryan is a great person and has been a strong leader for the club. He stepped into the role during a challenging period, especially with COVID’s impact on the NRL, and he introduced much-needed reforms while guiding us through significant changes in recent years.”
“Ryan’s efforts have set us up for continued growth,” Dragons chairman Andrew Lancaster added. “He has worked closely with the board, players, staff, and fans to ensure that the Dragons will continue building into the future.”
According to sources who spoke to the *Herald* on the condition of anonymity due to the confidential nature of the discussions, the Dragons initially approached South Sydney Rabbitohs CEO Blake Solly to gauge his interest in the role. However, Solly, after discussions with several Dragons directors, indicated his preference to stay with South Sydney and work alongside Wayne Bennett during his second tenure at the club.
One of the top candidates for the Dragons’ CEO position is Supercars chief operating officer Tim Watsford. Watsford, who has previous experience working with the NRL in its events team, went on to serve as CEO of the Northern Territory Major Events Company before joining Supercars in 2023.
Other potential candidates for the Dragons CEO role include former NRL general manager of partnerships Jaymes Boland-Rudder and ex-South Sydney COO Brock Schaefer, who recently took on the position of general manager of strategic football development at the NRL.
Additionally, the Dragons have been informed of potential interest from Newcastle Knights’ head of football, Peter Parr, for the role.
Norm Black, the former owner of Dragons sponsor Trip-A-Deal, may also be approached about becoming more involved with the club. Black has a close relationship with key figures at the Dragons and recently sold his holiday booking company to Qantas for $211 million, which could increase his potential influence within the organization.
The Dragons released a statement on Tuesday acknowledging Ryan Webb’s contributions during his tenure as CEO. The statement highlighted key achievements, including record commercial revenues, increased profitability, the expansion of community programs, and the upcoming construction of the Dragons’ Community and High-Performance Centre.
“His commitment to fostering a strong and inclusive culture within the club has helped create a solid foundation for future success,” the club stated.
Webb informed staff of his departure on Tuesday afternoon, expressing his pride in serving as CEO: “Being CEO of St George Illawarra is an absolute privilege and an experience I will always be proud of,” Webb said in a statement.