DAZN promotes CFO James Rushton to acting chief exec

Sports streamer DAZN has announced the appointment of James Rushton as its acting CEO following the departure of Simon Denyer, who will take up an advisory position at DAZN’s parent company Access Industries.

While Denyer created and led DAZN since its formation within the Perform Group in 2007, Rushton is no stranger to the top role having been the CEO for DAZN’s launch in 2016.

Prior to this temporary promotion, Rushton was the chief revenue officer at DAZN Group. In this role he was responsible for the leadership and commercial performance of its in-market teams.

This commercial acumen should prove vital as DAZN looks to navigate the murky waters of a sports world that has been ravaged by the global coronavirus pandemic.

Executive chairman John Skipper said: “James has been with the organisation for the better part of two decades and brings a huge amount of experience and skill to enable us to deliver on our potential.”

Of the departing Denyer, Skippers said: “Simon is an innovator and his talents will be a tremendous asset to Access as that organisation looks to explore new opportunities in the sports landscape. We wish Simon well in this new endeavour.”

In addition, Access Industries’ Ed McCarthy will go the other way and join DAZN in an as yet unnamed capacity to “play a critical role in delivering our group’s strategy.” McCarthy is currently Access Industries’ corporate director and portfolio manager.

Skipper said: “Ed has been working closely with me and many senior leaders at DAZN in the last several years and is well-equipped to help us chart a path for future growth.”