Mark Thompson steps down as Saracens CEO

Saracens chief executive officer Mark Thompson has left the role with immediate effect after 10 months at the Premiership club.

The former Burnley chief operating officer took over from Lucy Wray at the end of January.

The north London club reached the Premiership play-off semi-finals during his time in charge, losing 22-20 to eventual champions Northampton Saints.

Saracens said Thompson had left the club by "mutual consent", with Hamish Wilson coming in as new chief operating officer.

"Mark made a meaningful impact in several areas of the business," a statement on the club's website, external said.

"The board acknowledges and appreciates the hard work and passion he poured into the role and the club."

The club added that replacement Wilson "brings excellent experience and insight to the role".

"He [Wilson] will be well supported by those already at the club, who will play an important role in providing continuity and business leadership as we navigate this next chapter," the statement concluded.

Prior to moving to Saracens, Thompson spent two years at Burnley in which he oversaw the end of Sean Dyche's tenure and relegation to the Championship before Vincent Kompany took the club straight back up to the Premier League.

In a wide-ranging interview with BBC Sport in March, Thompson said the community work and culture had been a large part of what had drawn him to the role at StoneX Stadium.