Board Memebers – WRU Professional Rugby Board
Welsh rugby is currently advertising for two new independent members to join its Professional Rugby Board (PRB), with one of the appointments expected to take on the role of Chair.
The PRB’s Chair also sits on the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) Board, which is also concurrently seeking to appoint a new independent Chair, as announced last week – all three high level roles are being recruited externally to the WRU to maximise independence, fairness and transparency, by specialist firm GatenbySanderson.
The job specification for the PRB roles, which carries a closing date of Monday 3rd August, reads: “These are not typical board appointments. They sit at the heart of decisions that will shape the future of the professional game in Wales for years to come.”
The WRU’s Community Game Board Chair John Manders, who is chairing WRU Board meetings as Vice-Chair in the interim whilst its next independent chair is recruited, said:
“These are two critical new appointments to be made alongside that of the new independent chair of the WRU.
“Governance changes at the WRU, voted through by over 97% of our member clubs in 2023, have helped us to appoint a diverse range of individuals from the professional world to our boards, and to increase diversity on committees throughout the game.
“There has been a positive sea change in, not only our board culture, but also our efficiency and effectiveness as a result.
“The PRB chair, and second independently appointed PRB member, will be right at the heart of our strategic delivery to Welsh rugby and vital to helping us safeguard the future of our professional game.
“The right candidates can make a real and positive difference to our sport.
“The WRU remains undeterred from its plans to modernise its professional structure and move to three men’s professional teams by the start of the 2028 season.
“We are grateful to both Malcolm Wall, who was PRB Chair until last March and the interim Chair Marianne Okland, for their significant contributions to the betterment of Welsh rugby.”
The PRB sits at the centre of decision-making across professional rugby in Wales. It oversees strategy, performance and financial sustainability, bringing together WRU leadership, professional clubs, player representation and independent voices to help guide the direction of the game.
As the game continues to evolve, the PRB is leading a period of significant transition, including structural changes to the professional model, requiring careful judgement, strong governance and clear, system-wide thinking.
Welsh rugby is currently advertising for two new independent members to join its Professional Rugby Board (PRB), with one of the appointments expected to take on the role of Chair.
The PRB’s Chair also sits on the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) Board, which is also concurrently seeking to appoint a new independent Chair, as announced last week – all three high level roles are being recruited externally to the WRU to maximise independence, fairness and transparency, by specialist firm GatenbySanderson.
The job specification for the PRB roles, which carries a closing date of Monday 3rd August, reads: “These are not typical board appointments. They sit at the heart of decisions that will shape the future of the professional game in Wales for years to come.”
The WRU’s Community Game Board Chair John Manders, who is chairing WRU Board meetings as Vice-Chair in the interim whilst its next independent chair is recruited, said:
“These are two critical new appointments to be made alongside that of the new independent chair of the WRU.
“Governance changes at the WRU, voted through by over 97% of our member clubs in 2023, have helped us to appoint a diverse range of individuals from the professional world to our boards, and to increase diversity on committees throughout the game.
“There has been a positive sea change in, not only our board culture, but also our efficiency and effectiveness as a result.
“The PRB chair, and second independently appointed PRB member, will be right at the heart of our strategic delivery to Welsh rugby and vital to helping us safeguard the future of our professional game.
“The right candidates can make a real and positive difference to our sport.
“The WRU remains undeterred from its plans to modernise its professional structure and move to three men’s professional teams by the start of the 2028 season.
“We are grateful to both Malcolm Wall, who was PRB Chair until last March and the interim Chair Marianne Okland, for their significant contributions to the betterment of Welsh rugby.”
The PRB sits at the centre of decision-making across professional rugby in Wales. It oversees strategy, performance and financial sustainability, bringing together WRU leadership, professional clubs, player representation and independent voices to help guide the direction of the game.
As the game continues to evolve, the PRB is leading a period of significant transition, including structural changes to the professional model, requiring careful judgement, strong governance and clear, system-wide thinking.
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