Nigel Walker remains in situ as CEO, with his replacement Abi Tierney due to start on 8th January, and independent Non-Executive Director (iNED) Cat Read is still contributing but is standing down at the end of the year when Andrew Williams joins the Board.
Richard Collier-Keywood chaired the six hour meeting, which was held in person in the St David’s Lounge at Principality Stadium on Wednesday 13th December, with some individuals, including new iNED Jamie Roberts who is currently overseas, joining online via video link.
The meeting’s agenda led to one high profile announcement the following day after the appointments of Rob Howley and Richard Whiffin, as Wales assistant and u20s coaches respectively, were ratified by the Board.
14.12.23 New Wales U20s head coach Richard Whiffin, left with new Wales senior men’s assistant coach Rob Howley, after a press conference to announce the new coaching appointments
But a wide variety of other matters were also discussed including:
A full report on the preceding month from CEO Walker; an update on progress of the new Elite Domestic Competition and the completion of applications for licenses from ten premiership clubs; the new pathway competition in the Women’s game, the Celtic Challenge; discussions around World Rugby’s new Global calendar; fixture scheduling discussions relating to our international teams; management of accounts and forecasts for the year ahead; progress on a new digital plan for the WRU; discussions around governance; Safeguarding in the professional, club and community game; an update from the Professional Rugby Board (PRB) and plans for reporting on progress related to Independent Review recommendations.
“The meeting was in depth and wide ranging and a really good starting point for the new Board ahead of us welcoming our full new contingent in the New Year,” said chair Collier-Keywood.
“With these changes in mind, the sincere gratitude of the Board is extended to both Nigel Walker and Cat Read who attended their final meeting in current roles.
“In Cat Read we have benefited from the expertise, dedication and advice of a highly regarded and respected financial COO over the last two years. She will be sorely missed and we thank her for her immense contribution to Welsh rugby.
“Nigel will of course return as an integral part of our executive staff, as Executive Director of Rugby, and so, although vacating his seat on the Board, will still be attending future meetings, but we have nevertheless taken the opportunity to sincerely thank him for his service to the game over the last 12months.”
14.11.23 – Welsh Rugby Union Press Conference -Welsh Rugby Union chair Richard Collier-Keywood.
The recent Independent Review took a central place in Board discussions and is expected to be an ever present agenda item until 2026 at the earliest.
The WRU’s chair has committed to publish quarterly updates showing progress against the recommendations starting in the New Year.
“The first update will be published at the end of January and we are fully committed to showing progress against the recommendations of the report on a quarterly basis thereafter,” added Collier-Keywood.
“The report gives us a roadmap for the future of the game in Wales from a governance perspective, but also from a culture and identity standpoint.
“The first task at hand is to appoint an oversight group, to independently monitor our progress and we have already agreed with Sport Wales to work closely on appointing all members of this group.”
New WRU Board for 2024 (alphabetical):
Amanda Bennett, Richard Collier- Keywood (Chair), Claire Donovan, Chris Jones, John Manders Jennifer Mathias, Jamie Roberts, Alison Thorne, Abi Tierney (CEO), Malcolm Wall, Colin Wilks and Andrew Williams
