The Professional Golfers’ Association has announced the appointment of Nick Oakley as its next Chief Executive.
Oakley becomes only the third Chief Executive of The PGA since 1991, following Sandy Jones and Robert Maxfield, and will take up his position later this year.
Oakley qualified as a PGA Professional in 1999 and brings more than 30 years of international experience across sport, entertainment and the golf industry. He has built a broad career spanning organisational leadership, operational management, commercial strategy and advisory services across global sports markets.
He was Partner for Sport and Entertainment at PwC and spent almost a decade with KPMG Sport, Leisure and Tourism, where he built and led teams advising clients across the globe. His career also includes over three years as a senior executive at Leicester City football club and board member of its charitable trust, experience at one of the world’s largest commercial sports agencies and supporting the development of Yas Island in Abu Dhabi as a world-class destination.
Most recently, Oakley has been working closely with UAE-based businessman Abdulla Al Naboodah across his sports portfolio, supporting a range of strategic initiatives and investment opportunities. Al Naboodah is a non-executive director of The European Tour Group and founder and chairman of Dubai Basketball and a shareholder in the Al Naboodah Group, a UAE-based family conglomerate with operations across multiple industries.
PGA Chair Alan White said: “We are delighted to welcome Nick to The PGA. He brings an exceptional breadth of leadership, strategic and industry experience, and the Board has every confidence in his ability to build on the strong foundations already in place. We look forward to the next chapter for the Association under his leadership.”
Oakley commented: “It is a privilege to be appointed to lead The PGA at such an exciting time for the game and in the Association’s historic 125th year. I understand and value the dedication, knowledge and pride that PGA Members bring to the game and I look forward to working closely with the staff, our Members and our Partners and to what we can achieve together in the years ahead.”
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