Jersey RFC's Executive Committee will go into 2016 with a new member following the appointment of Mark Morgan as Vice-Chairman.
The former 1st XV scrum-half and Club Captain has been unanimously co-opted by Executive members and will take up his role with immediate effect. He will bring considerable business experience to the role, having retired earlier this year after working for Citibank for more than 30 years.
JRFC Chairman Bill Dempsey said: "Mark's appointment is a significant one as the club plans for the future and it coincides with my own decision to step down at the end of this season.
"The intention is that Mark will have six or seven months to learn more about what the Chairman's role entails; after this he will be the Executive Committee's nomination as our next Chairman - this will of course be subject to endorsement by club members at the Annual General Meeting."
Dempsey (pictured above), whose time as Chairman has coincided with Jersey's rise from the fifth to second tier of the English rugby structure, said that he felt the time was right to step down.
"I've been Chairman for eight years - it's a demanding role and the Executive Committee have agreed a course that enables the club to plan for the future. I've no plans to disappear, and will be around to help the new Chairman as required, as well as continuing to be involved with some special projects."
Morgan (pictured above) moved to Jersey in 1981, marrying local girl Sue and having two sons during his time on the Island, when he made more than 200 appearances for Jersey's 1st XV, including around 40 games as Captain and seven Siam Cups.
The family moved away in 1990 when Mark took up a series of postings with Citibank in Singapore, Indonesia and Dubai. He developed and managed a number of regional and global businesses and functions prior to retiring as a Managing Director and returning to Jersey.
"Coming back to Jersey was a long-term goal for the family and the move has enabled me to get back involved in rugby," he said. "I've enjoyed working alongside Cliff Chipperfield as Co-Chairman of the JRFC Amateur section and now there's a very exciting opportunity to join the Executive Committee and play a role in the club's future, which I'm really looking forward to."