Chris Allen (Director)
Chris spent his working career in the energy sector, initially in electrical engineering. Naturally, he saw interesting times as the industry evolved through privatisation and commercialisation. He then transitioned into senior, national roles in energy services then sales and commercial operations. He joined RGC in 1993 and the board in 2010, initially as Membership Director. At a very turbulent time for the club, he took on the role of Chairman and Secretary which he held for 9 years. He put the club back on a firm footing and set the foundations on which the current board now builds. Although he stepped back from this major role in 2020 he remains on the board without a specific portfolio but with responsibility for tenant relations. His in-depth knowledge of the business and traditions of the club is a vital bell-weather for the Board and he has helped several projects involving corporate governance. He too lists himself as a social more than competitive golfer and claims to have tested the teaching skills of the Club’s professional staff over the last 32 years but is yet to find the perfect swing!
Danny Boardman (Projects & Compliance Director)
Danny has worked in the public sector for 31 years, 14 of those in facilities management and compliance for the NHS responsible for the buildings at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals. Since 2018 he moved to the social housing sector ensuring tenants are safe in their homes and landlords meet their legal obligations. As a young man, he served his apprenticeship as a steel erector working in various locations across the country. Danny joined RGC in 2020 from Phoenix Golf Club where he’d been involved in the management of the club for over 12 years. This experience and his knowledge of Health & Safety matters have been a valuable contribution to the Board, which he joined in 2022. At 6’ 7” Danny is one of our taller members and invites anyone for a round which, he says, would help a lot for others to help look for his ball!
Richard Boor
After a 41-year career in Banking, Richard retired in 2022 and now works part-time as a Non-Executive Director for a local charity, Autism Plus. Having played golf in the South Yorkshire area for many years he was eager to join RGC, which he did in 2004. He joined the Board in 2020 and has had responsibility for membership since his appointment, to uphold the traditions of such a fine club, whilst encouraging participation in the game by players old and new. He focuses on building a strong Junior Membership to help cement the future of the Club and is working closely with the Head Professional and General Manager on this initiative. While he enjoys both the competitive golf and social life of being a member at one of Yorkshire’s best golfing & dining venues his proudest moment was being invited to be Club Captain for 2024.
Neil Bradburne (Financial Director)
Like some of his colleagues, Neil has also enjoyed a senior career in banking now at Barclays heading up their Healthcare banking arm. He joined RGC in 2005 and was recruited to the Board as Finance Director in 2008 to provide much-needed discipline in financial planning. His firm hand on the tiller has seen the club navigate troubled waters like the pandemic and energy crisis. The Board now has access to timely, accurate management information and can plan for future years thanks to Neill’s work with his finance team. He lists his golfing highlights as breaking into the single-figure handicap club and winning two majors – The Whitaker Cup and The Ralph Russom Trophy.
Rob Norton (Director)
Rob has worked in the banking industry since 1987, formerly at Yorkshire Bank and since 2011 at Handelsbanken as Corporate Account Business Manager. Rob has had two spells on the Board, firstly from 2011-2015 and then from 2018 onwards becoming Greens Director in 2019. He has been a strong advocate of blending change management steering the club into the modern world whilst respecting the fine traditions of RGC; perfectly illustrated by the bunker redevelopment program. As a youngster, Rob won the Yorkshire Schools golf tournament which spurred him onto greater heights. 2006 was the zenith playing for the scratch team and winning four major trophies, in the process shooting a career-low gross score of 65 (twice) in club competitions!! He laments those days are now long gone but his proudest day is being Club Captain for 2025.
Simon Plumbe (Employee Engagement Director)
Simon started his career in Merseyside managing sports and leisure facilities before moving to Tickhill in 1987 where he worked for Mitchell & Butlers (ex-Bass) as a Regional Manager culminating in the implementation of a companywide cultural change program. He was introduced to RGC by Lol Morgan and joined in 1997. He was recruited to the Board in 2020 to make significant contributions through his general management experience and knowledge of the licensed/catering trade. Whilst his name appears several times on the club’s winners board Simon is desperately trying to remain competitive in his golf despite the effects of the ageing process!
Kevin Popplewell (Governance Director, including Handicaps & Competitions)
After graduating college Kevin spent 4 years as a cost & works accountant in Leeds before a career in sales beckoned. He joined the top sales organisation in the 1960s, Unilever, for a grounding that would later see him move into the PPE industry as European Sales Manager for James North & Sons Ltd before moving to MG Safety Ltd as Sales & Marketing Director and finally Deputy Managing Director. Kevin joined RGC in 1995, was a well-regarded Club Captain in 2016 and joined the Board in 2017. His attention to detail, perhaps honed in those early days in Leeds, ensures that Kevin keeps members of the board in line with the bylaws and constitution. He has helped the club navigate the changes to WHS and manages handicaps and disciplinary matters with fairness not always seen at every club. He joined RGC from Pontefract GC with a handicap of 1 and despite his name featuring frequently on the honours boards at the club in several majors and competitions, he has the good grace to suggest those days may be behind him!
Andy Woolf (Commercial Director)
Following a marketing career at Boots, Andy lived and worked in the US for 14 years where he built a pharmaceutical services business that was acquired in 2015. Remaining stateside for a few more years as the business was transitioned into the new organisation Andy & family moved back to the UK a few years later. His general management & marketing experience was a welcome addition to the Board in 2019. His golf is described as more social than competitive!