Tony is Chairman and Chief Executive of Exeter Rugby Club and has been for over 25 years. Initially introduced to the club to provide sponsorship, it’s been an association ever since that has seen him not only continue the sponsorship with his former company, SW Comms, but also help guide the Devon club from the National Leagues to that of Anglo Welsh, English Premiership and European Heineken champions.
Tony left school at the age of 15 and joined the Royal Marines Band as a drummer and bugler. In 1972 he started a company selling and repairing powerboat engines. He went on to race powerboats, successfully becoming British champion – winning the Rouen 24hr powerboat race and setting a new British water speed record.
In 1983, the Government announced that they were going to privatise the telephone market. Tony immediately recognised the potential business opportunity and set up selling South-West Telecoms, selling computers and business telephony systems. The company grew to become a multi-million-pound complete communications business, now known as SW Comms. Since February 2021, Tony has been concentrating on his other business ventures, including the creation of the Sandy Park Hotel, the Matford Business Centre, Hy-tec enamelling, and West Exe Business Park.
He was awarded the CBE for services to business, sport in the 2023 King’s New Year’s Honours list. He had previously been awarded an OBE in 2012 and received an Honorary Doctorate of Laws from the University of Exeter, as well as being given the Freedom of the City of Exeter. Tony is proud to represent the Exeter Chiefs and the Chiefs Foundation Charity, bringing his experience of sport and running businesses to the Commission. The Exeter Chiefs Academy has 600 boys and 150 girls aged 13 to 24 learning rugby but also developing their life skills and education. This role is very personal to Tony. He was disadvantaged at school. He is dyslexic and there wasn’t much help for him then. He felt inadequate until he developed his English and maths skills himself later in life.
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