Sunderland hire Scottish Rugby data expert in key backroom business move | OneFootball

Sunderland have appointed James Mullins as Head of Business Insights, recruiting the senior data specialist from Scottish Rugby in a strategic off-field move.

Mullins said in a post that he is delighted to join, describing the club as rich in history and ambition, and he looks forward to working with David Bruce, Brandon Furse and Scott McCubbin.

He spent more than five years with Scottish Rugby, most recently as Head of Digital and Data, having previously served as Head of Data and Insights and as Data Science Manager.

His experience includes academia, as an associate lecturer at Northumbria University and a lecturer in sports performance analysis at the University of Gloucestershire.

Earlier, he was a performance analyst at Performance Advantage, providing consultancy across elite sport, including work with Durham CCC and Scottish Rugby Union.

The appointment underlines Sunderland’s push for data-led decision-making across football and commercial operations, with continued investment in infrastructure and people to support long-term growth.

Source: Sunderland Echo