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Bucks, 44, is a chartered accountant and was previously a director of Price Waterhouse Corporate. Until 2004 he was COO of Octagon Marketing EMEA & Asia Pacific, the largest operating division of Octagon Worldwide Inc.

He worked as European Vice President, Corporate Development for Octagon Worldwide and Head of Business Development for CSI Ltd.

The AIM-listed firm, a provider of sports marketing and consultancy, management and media services, said that Bucks will remain in his current role until 31 January 2008.

Essentially’s full-service sports management business has a bias on athlete representation, sponsorship and rights management. Its main area of focus remains rugby union in which it is the global market leader.

The firm’s clients include the All Blacks’ captain Richie McCaw and Dan Carter, who were named IRB World Players of the Year in 2006 and 2005 respectively.

Essentially Group’s Accelerate subsidiary managed the Rugby Town facility under the Eiffel Tower in Paris, the official fan village open throughout the duration of the Rugby World Cup.

In September the group reported interim results for the six months to 30 June 2007, including a 178 per cent increase in turnover to £1.74 million, compared to £620,000 in 2006. Performance was ahead of expectations, despite a lower first-half pre-tax profit of £230,000 before amortisation from £330,000 earlier.

Bart Campbell, CEO of Essentially (LSE:ESN), said: "Michael has made a significant contribution through his involvement with the company since May 2006. We wish him all the very best and look forward to the possibility of a working relationship with him in the future."

Related links

• Essentially Group Limited