WHO WILL BE THE NEW CHIEF EXECUTIVE?

28 June 2005

A new boss has yet to be appointed to run Swansea's £27 million sports stadium. The chief executive post has been vacant ever since Tim Howell sensationally resigned a fortnight ago, just weeks before the first match is due to kick off.

Mr Howell quit his position with the Glamorgan Health and Racquet Club at Llandarcy a year ago to take over the new post at Morfa.

He had been brought in to oversee the opening of the impressive new home of the Ospreys RFC and Swansea City FC.

But his surprise departure left the management team facing unexpected challenges in the run-up to the showpiece opening of the ground.

Swansea Stadium Management Company, which runs the ground, is still in the process of looking for somebody to replace Mr Howell.

In the interim, Swansea Council has provided a project manager and project director to assume Mr Howell's responsibilities, with Swansea Stadium Management Companycontributing towards costs.

The company maintains that all other aspects of the stadium's management remain unaffected.

A spokesman for Swansea Stadium Management Company said: "The board has already put in place a process to appoint a new chief executive and is currently considering replacement options.

"Mr Howell's sudden departure left the company with outdated PR publicity material featuring the former chief executive, which had only been made public 24 hours before his departure.

But the company's spokesman added: "There are no material costs attached to reproducing literature as a result of Tim Howell's departure.

"Swansea City's first game at the 20,000 all-seater venue, against Premiership Fulham, is scheduled to go ahead as planned.