Formerly chief executive of the All England Club , Ian Ritchie turned his back on Wimbledon to help rebuild the reputation of English rugby after the 2011 World Cup . Having trained as a barrister , he turned his attention to sport after overseeing the launch of Channel Five in 1997 — famously hiring the Spice Girls for the unveiling . He has also worked as a director for both the Football League and Wembley Stadium Ltd. RFU chief executive Ian Ritchie ( left ) chats to England head coach Stuart Lancaster at Twickenham . Ritchie was brought on board by the RFU following England 's disastrous 2011 World Cup campaign . During his six years in tennis , Ritchie managed the installation of the Centre Court roof and two new show courts . He took credit for modernising the famous grass tournament , before being lured across south-west London to Twickenham . His most notable achievement with the RFU was to act as behind-the-scenes broker for the new television deal for European club rugby , saving the domestic game from isolation . Ritchie is hoping to use this year ’ s World Cup to galvanise English rugby — boosting the grassroots game and emphasising the sport ’ s ‘ core values ’ — while maximising TV audiences and ticket sales . His values shine through the work of Lancaster , whom he promoted from caretaker to permanent coach during his early days in the role , subsequently offering him a long-term deal until 2020 . Ritchie ( left ) managed the installation of the Centre Court roof and two new show courts at Wimbledon .
Ian Ritchie spent six years as chief executive of the All England Club . A trained barrister , Ritchie managed the installation of the Centre Court roof and two new show courts . Ritchie was then lured across south-west London to Twickenham . He played a key role in brokering the new TV deal for the European Cup . Ritchie is hoping to use this year ’ s World Cup to galvanise English rugby .