Murdoch MacLennan CBE (born 1948) is a Scottish media executive and sports administrator. He is widely recognised for his extensive career in the British newspaper industry and his significant leadership roles in rugby union.
Early Life and Education
Born in 1948, MacLennan was educated at the University of Edinburgh.
Career in Media
MacLennan's career in media spans several decades and includes leadership positions at some of the UK's most prominent publishing houses.
- EMAP plc: He began his career in the magazine industry, holding various senior roles at EMAP plc, a major UK publisher of consumer and business magazines.
- Associated Newspapers: From 1993 to 2004, MacLennan served as the Chief Executive Officer of Associated Newspapers, the division of DMGT plc responsible for publishing the Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday. During his tenure, he oversaw a period of significant growth and technological change for these influential titles.
- Telegraph Media Group: From 2004 to 2015, MacLennan was the Chief Executive Officer of the Telegraph Media Group, publisher of The Daily Telegraph and The Sunday Telegraph. He led the company through the challenging transition period of digital disruption, focusing on integrating print and online operations and developing new revenue streams. He later served as Deputy Chairman until 2017.
Sports Administration
Beyond his media career, MacLennan has held prominent positions in sports administration, particularly within rugby union.
- Rugby Football Union (RFU): He joined the Rugby Football Union, the governing body for rugby union in England, as an independent non-executive director in 2014. He was appointed Chief Executive Officer of the RFU in 2016, a role he held until 2020. During his time as CEO, he was responsible for the strategic and operational management of the RFU, including the running of Twickenham Stadium and the development of the sport across England. He then served as Chairman of the RFU from 2020 to 2023.
Honours and Recognition
Murdoch MacLennan was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the 2017 New Year Honours for services to the media and to sport.