After 3 years of visionary leadership and remarkable achievements, Vicki Sutton has recently informed the Chairs of her decision to step down as Chief Executive Officer of both Wales Netball and the Cardiff Dragons at the end of 2024. This marks the end of a transformative era for the company, one that has seen significant growth, innovation, and success under Vicki’s guidance.
Since joining Wales Netball in 2020, Vicki has been instrumental in reshaping the company’s direction and elevating its position in both the sports industry and on the international stage. Vicki led with a focus on innovation, creativity, and a commitment to the company’s core values.
Vicki’s notable achievements include but are certainly not limited to:
-Created a multi-faceted income generation strategy.
-Reduce reliance on restricted funding.
-Separating Wales Netball and Cardiff Dragons into 2 businesses.
-Ensuring Cardiff Dragons achieved a 10-year NSL License.
-Growing the Wales Netball staff team out of the pandemic from 6 members of staff to 15.
Vicki Sutton said “It has been a pleasure to lead both businesses through this phase of transformation. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time here but now it is time for me to return to the path I was on before the pandemic. I have a lot of fond memories from my four and a half years involved with Netball here in Wales and particularly the last 3 in the top job. Netball is the best sport in the world in my opinion and one that has the most potential to get even bigger in the near future. It’s a really exciting time for both businesses and I look forward to watching and supporting the next phase of growth from a distance.
I’d like to thank the board, staff, members, athletes and sponsors for their support during my time at the helm. It has been wonderful getting to know you all and I truly admire your commitment to our sport.”
Catherine Lewis (Chair of Cardiff Dragons) and Catherine Hares (Chair of Wales Netball said of Vicki)
“Vicki has been an exemplar CEO, leading the Governing Body and through dynamic changes and the professionalism of Cardiff Dragons. She has worked collaboratively with Europe Netball and World Netball at the same time growing the sport in Wales in difficult financial times.
It’s been a pleasure to work with and learn from Vicki and we look forward to working with her in the future as her career progresses. We knew we would only keep Vicki for a relatively short time but her three years as the CEO have been highly productive and we are sad to see her leave us, though we know she won’t be too far away!”
The board of directors of both organisations are currently in collaborative discussion about the next phase of leadership for both the National Governing Body and the Franchise and hope to start recruitment very shortly.
