John Jermine has been appointed chairman of Wales Ryder Cup 2010 Ltd, following an extensive and competitive recruitment process that began in May when the post was advertised.
Ryder Cup Wales 2010 Ltd has been established to deliver on the public sector commitments contained in the successful Ryder Cup bid. As well as working to ensure that the event itself in Newport in 2010 is a success, Ryder Cup Wales is responsible for an ambitious programme of golf tournaments, including the WPGA Championship of Europe and the Wales Seniors Open, and is committed to maximising the all-Wales economic, tourism and golf development benefits of hosting the world’s third largest sporting event.
Funded by the Welsh Assembly Government, Ryder Cup Wales 2010 Ltd is run by a board representing the Welsh Development Agency, Wales Tourist Board, the Sports Council for Wales, Newport City Council, Newport Unlimited, the Welsh Golfing Union and the Welsh Ladies Golfing Union.
Mr Jermine, a 59-year-old chartered accountant, has held senior posts in publishing with Thomson and electronic security, property maintenance and retail with ADT plc. He is currently non-executive chairman of a privately owned furniture retailer employing 400 people at 21 stores across England and Wales.
He has also been a high profile figure in the world of golf, winning the Welsh amateur title as recently as three years ago and helping to develop the Welsh Golfing Union’s coaching and support systems. Mr Jermine has represented Wales at international level since 1972 and served as non playing captain of Welsh teams at junior and senior levels. He is a life member of Radyr Golf Club and also a member at Royal Porthcawl, Sunningdale and the R&A.
“I am delighted to accept this appointment,” he said. “I believe Ryder Cup Wales has a hugely exciting opportunity to secure wide ranging, long term benefits for Wales.
“The opportunities that the Ryder Cup brings to Wales go way beyond the three-day match itself in Newport in 2010. We will seek to develop the focussed strategy that will deliver immediate and long term benefits to the Welsh economy in general, and local business and golf in particular, as well as ensuring a successful event in 2010.
“We owe a great debt to those who won the bid for Wales, not least the Welsh Assembly Government led by Rhodri Morgan, Sir Terry Matthews and The Celtic Manor Resort, and Tony Lewis, who led the bid team. My job, and it is a dream job, is to take the project to the next stage and drive it on. I look forward to starting work as soon as possible.”
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