Tainton appointed new Bristol Bears CEO

Tom Tainton has spent the past three years as Bristol Bears' chief operating officer

Bristol Bears have appointed Tom Tainton as the club's new chief executive officer.

Tainton, 36, has worked at the club for the past decade, most recently as chief operating officer since 2022.

A club statement said Tainton would work closely with director of rugby Pat Lam and the board to "create structures that will support the men's and women's teams to compete for silverware".

"It's a privilege to lead my boyhood club in a new chapter for the Bears and I'm passionate about playing my part in its future," Tainton said.

"We are an organisation that prides ourselves on being different and pushing the boundaries – this is an exciting time for rugby and our ambition is for Bears to be at the forefront of leading that positive change.

"I'm looking forward to continuing to work with the owners, board, staff and the players to bring sustainable success to Bristol."