Mark Tainton to step down from CEO role of Bristol at end of season

Bristol Bears have announced that chief executive Mark Tainton will step down from his role at the end of the ongoing season.

Tainton, who is already Bristol's all-time leading points scorer spent twelve years as a technical coach with Ireland and served as interim Head Coach during the second half of the 2016/17 Premiership campaign.

He was appointed the Chief Operating Officer of the club in 2017 and later took over the CEO role ahead of the 2019/20 season.

“It’s always a hard decision to make a change, but I feel after so many years of service to the sport and club that I love, now is the right time to move on.

“I’m looking forward to spending time with my wife Catherine and I’m excited about exploring different opportunities both inside and outside of the game.

“As a proud Bristolian, Bears will always remain close to my heart, and I wish the club every success going forward.”

Bristol Bears Chairman Chris Booy thanked Tainton for his contribution to the club over the years.

“Mark has been a tremendous servant to the club. Aside from his excellent playing and coaching career he has steered the club through an incredible five years of growth and the last two years of a global pandemic which had a huge impact on the club and professional sport.

“During that time Mark worked tirelessly to ensure our players and staff were safe and able to compete at the highest level. Seeing Bears secure our first silverware in Europe in the European Challenge Cup in 2020 – albeit behind closed doors – was one of the proudest moments of my life and I’m sure will be a memory that will stay with Mark forever too as a testament to his tireless efforts during the pandemic.

“I’d personally like to thank Mark for all he has done for the club, over so many years, and the club wishes him the very best for his next endeavours.”