Sports charity Dallaglio RugbyWorks has appointed Jason Worthy as its new CEO.

Worthy, who until July 2019 was president and CEO of fitness equipment giant Life Fitness, replaces Rachel Roxburgh, who is leaving the role after nine years.

Roxburgh has been CEO since the launch of RugbyWorks in 2011. During her tenure, she has overseen the growth of the organisation, including the development of a three-year skills-led programme which is now being delivered to more than 2,000 young people across eight regions in England and Wales.

The programme helps marginalised teenagers, at risk of being left behind by society, to aspire for and achieve a better future.

Worthy joined Life Fitness in 2012 and was promoted to run all of Life Fitness' five wellness brands – Life Fitness, Hammer Strength, Cybex, Indoor Cycling Group and SCIFIT – in 2018 under an independent, publicly-traded company called FitnessCo.

Before Life Fitness, Worthy led global procurement for the UK's then-largest fitness chain, Fitness First. While at Fitness First, he also co-led the creation and launch of its budget club chain Klick Fitness.

Earlier in his career, Worthy helped build and scale a small internet-based fitness startup and secured investment for its growth.

He is also a founding trustee of the Scotty’s Little Soldiers charity, which provides support, counselling and guidance for children who have sadly lost a parent who served in the British Armed Forces.

Former England rugby captain Lawrence Dallaglio, founder of RugbyWorks, said: “This is a key moment for me. I never envisaged 10 years ago when I set up the charity, we would have achieved so much and become such an important player in the sport for development space.

“In Jason, I know we have recruited an outstanding successor for Rachel and he will now take us forward to the next stage of our development and I am incredibly excited to see what he brings."

Commenting on his appointment, Worthy said: “From the moment I learned more about the mission I was immediately compelled to get involved.

"I have been extremely impressed with the work the team has done to date under Rachel’s leadership and am excited to start working with the Staff and Board of Trustees to continue the evolution of this fantastic charity.”

• To read more about Dallaglio's RugbyWorks, click here for Sports Management issue 2 2018.