Widnes appoint new CEO

Championship side Widnes have appointed Julie Gaskell as their new chief executive following the departure of Alex Bonney.

Ms Gaskell, who has worked in a number of senior management roles at both United Utilities and the Stobart Group, will help oversee the Vikings’ Super League application for 2012.

Vikings chairman Steve O’Connor said: “Julie has an excellent commercial background in this region and I am confident that she will build on the strong foundations that we have laid since 2007. I believe that Julie has the energy, enthusiasm and expertise to manage the club over the coming crucial period to its full potential.”

O’Connor also passed on his thanks to outgoing Bonney, who has been with the club since the transport boss bought the Vikings out of administration in 2007.

“Alex has done a tremendous job for the Vikings in the last three years and he has been an integral part of what we have achieved in that time.”

Ms Gaskell’s professional experience also includes the management and delivery of large scale sponsorship programmes that have included, the Commonwealth Games, The World Firefighter Games and Liverpool’s European Capital of Culture Year in 2008.

She said: “I have already been working alongside Alex and the rest of the management team and I have been impressed by what I have seen. I see my role as continuing the club’s progress, ensuring a successful Super League application and making sure that we are in the best possible shape to fulfil our ambitious long-term targets.

“It is a very exciting challenge for me and I am really looking forward to seeing what we can achieve together at Widnes Vikings.”