Sale Sharks has boosted the club’s off-field team with the appointment of a new Commercial Director and a Head of Commercial Operations
New Commercial Director Luisa D’Aprano comes with a wealth of experience in sport, having been Vice-President of Partnership Delivery at Liverpool FC, and Relationship Manager at Manchester United.
She held the post of Commercial Director at Co-op Live until February this year, when she joined sports sponsorship and marketing agency PLUS as Head of Brand Activations.
Having initially joined Sharks on a consultancy basis, Luisa will now oversee and drive all business-related activities of the club, including the marketing, partnerships, hospitality, and commercial operations.
Robbie Stott has joined the club as Head of Commercial Operations and will take charge of matchday operations and the fan experience at the Salford Stadium.
Robbie previously worked as Event Operations Manager at NFL UK and Stadium Event Manager at Lancashire County Cricket Club.
Sharks CEO Paul Smith said: “We want to build a club that operates at the top level both on and off the pitch and attracting people of the calibre of Luisa and Robbie to these roles is vital in helping us do that.
“Luisa has worked at the very highest level of elite sport I’m confident she’s the perfect person to drive our business and our commercial team forward.
“Robbie brings a wealth of experience in a variety of sports and he will be key to our plans to improve the fan experience on matchdays.
“I’m thrilled to welcome Luisa and Robbie to Sale Sharks.”
Luisa said: “There is so much potential at the club both on and off the pitch and it’s a really exciting time to be joining the team.
“The club has such a rich heritage and a powerful connection with communities in the north-west. Everyone at the club is fully focused on building on that story to help develop strong, long-term partnerships, develop our commercial partnership strategy and grow our brand.
“I’m also excited to work with current partners, including Salford City Council and our friends at Salford Red Devils, to build the Salford Stadium into a home for rugby in the north that we can all be proud of.”
