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Welsh Rugby Union appoints first ever independent chair
Former managing partner of professional advisory PwC in the UK, Richard Collier-Keywood, has been revealed as the first independent chair of the Welsh Rugby Union.
As part of an overall of the union’s governing body, which was unanimously backed by its member clubs at an EGM in March, Alison Thorne, who current roles include chairing the National Dance Company Wales and Barcud Housing Association, has also been appointed as a new independent non executive director to the board.
Mr Collier-Keywood, who was also a global vice-chair of PwC, has been a senior adviser to the UK Government’s Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport.
Ms Thorne from Penarth, who has a commercial background in retail, is also a former chair of equality charity Chwarae Teg. Her other non executive roles including being a board member at Sport Wales, a governor of Cardiff Metropolitan University, and an independent panel member for public appointments for Welsh Government. Her love for rugby stems from her father, Tony Thorne, who was a groundsman at the former National Stadium, Cardiff Arms Park in 1970s & 1980s.
The two are expected to take up their roles next month. Mr Collier-Keywood will oversee the process of appointing a new chief executive of the WRU, a role currently held in an interim capacity by Nigel Walker. Another new independent non executive director is also being recruited . Mr Collier-Keywood succeeds Ieuan Evans as chair – whose remuneration was £60,000 a year.
As part of governance changes five (40%) members of the 12-person board should be women.
The new chair. whose mother grew up in Maesteg, split his childhood between Nottingham and Porthcawl. He has followed Welsh rugby passionately since the early 1970s.
He said:“I’m absolutely delighted to accept the role as chair of the WRU. Welsh rugby has always been hugely emotional for me and it is such a strength that there are millions of us that care and feel the same way.
“The hard work of Ieuan Evans and Nigel Walker over the last few months has meant that we have a solid platform to take forward. There is a lot to do and I am looking forward to:- developing and implementing a strategy which supports and drives all elements of Welsh rugby throughout both the women’s and the men’s game, increasing the amount that we can invest in both the professional game and the community; establishing a new culture and implementing the recommendations of the ongoing independent review; and working with the Board to ensure we have the right mix of skills and viewpoints to take Welsh rugby forward
“It is exciting that rugby is evolving to include the whole family and we need to recognise and support this as well as the very important role that it plays at the centre of many of our communities.
“Finally, we are excited about Wales’ prospects for the future, not least the upcoming World Rugby U20s Championship in South Africa, the men’s RWC in France and the World XV tournament for Wales’ Women in New Zealand.”
Mr Collier-Keywood currently chairs Fair4All Finance, funded by dormant assets to support financial inclusion and the School for Social Entrepreneurs which supports hundreds of entrepreneurs to start and scale businesses that make a difference. He is also on the board of the National Community Lottery Fund and Women of the World, which promotes gender equality internationally.
Ms Thorne said:“I am delighted to have the opportunity to join the WRU Board at this exciting time for the game in Wales.
“Change has been necessary and, perhaps, overdue as recognised by the commitment to a new way forward by the community and professional game members. This commitment will enable the game to become truly inclusive and successful as we all work together towards that aim.
“It will be incumbent upon myself and colleagues joining the Board to ensure that progress continues to be made, listening effectively and enhancing the unique, endearing and impressive qualities that Welsh rugby projects around the world.
“Welsh rugby has been the pride of Wales and it will be a privilege to be a part of rebuilding and developing that pride and passion still further as we look to bring much deserved sustainability and success to all aspects of the game.”
As part of governance changes five (40%) members of the 12-person board should be women.
Outgoing chair, and former Wales international, Mr Evans said: “We have made two hugely exciting appointments in both Alison and Richard and I welcome them both to Welsh rugby,” said Evans, who will stay on as chair for a short transition period working alongside his successor over the next few weeks.
“I would like to personally thank everyone who has expressed an interest in joining the WRU Board at this time of seismic change for our governance structure, we have been humbled by the high calibre of candidates in all quarters.
“Our new-look voard is beginning to take shape and I have every confidence that we will have the diversity of talent and skillset to ensure our place in the elite women’s and men’s game and to continue to grow and support all sections of our community game, both male and female, when the process is complete .
“We continue in our long term aspiration to achieve a 40% gender balance across the Board and will work hard to ensure this is achieved, whilst also ensuring we have the very best people for the job and the right variety of skills experience and business acumen to lead Welsh rugby into a new frontier.
“Welsh rugby will be rightly buoyed by these two new appointments but these are just the first steps. Next we will find our permanent CEO and fill the remaining independent non executive director position and vacancies. We will assemble a board which stands up to scrutiny and meets the highest standards of the rugby world and one that will make the nation proud in the years ahead.”
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