Jamie Roberts lands powerful new role at WRU as big announcement is made

Former Welsh Lions and British and Irish Lions star Jamie Roberts has been appointed to the board of directors of the Welsh Rugby Union.

Roberts takes on the influential role of one of Union’s new independent directors, with Amanda Bennett and Jennifer Mathias also appointed in a significant change. Center Roberts played 94 times for Wales and won two Grand Slams and a Six Nations Championship, all while studying medicine and then pursuing higher education at Loughborough and Cambridge universities.

The appointment of Bennett and Mathias also signals a positive change of direction for the WRU, which is committed to becoming a modern, thriving organization ready for 2023 and beyond.

Bennett, a former Wales international who played, coached and managed women’s rugby over a 40-year career, will take on the new role of Independent Non-Executive Director (iNED), with specific experience in women’s and women’s football, both professional as professionally. levels. . community levels.

Mathias has impressive financial experience. She describes herself as a “deeply commercial” finance director who works for London Stock Exchange-listed wealth management firm Rathbones.

Speaking about his new role at iNED, Roberts said: “Having recently retired, I have a huge passion for Welsh rugby. It is a great honor to take on a position of responsibility and influence at such an important time for football in Wales.

“My experience around the world has given me a varied and valuable insight into high performance from a player’s perspective and I welcome the opportunity to use my experience and knowledge on and off the field of play to further contribute to the WRU and the sport. gave shape. my life”.

Current iNED members Kat Reed and Henry Engelhardt will step down in the coming weeks after their terms end.

The new 12-member board governing Welsh rugby is made up of eight appointed directors, including the chairman and chief executive. Seven of them have already been announced.

In previous positions, there were four women from the sporting and business elite. The remaining four elected representatives will be elected in November and a new council will be formed by the end of the year.

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Bennett said of her new role: “I am now as passionate as I was when I started my playing career about the development and success of rugby in Wales, especially women’s rugby. In this role I intend to leverage my experience in management, leadership and engagement, as well as my knowledge and experience as a board advisor.

“Wales women are rising in the world rankings and this has been a result of the WRU’s ongoing program of leadership and investment. The program is on track to become a global leader, following the implementation of the recommendations of the WRU Women’s Performance Review 2021. These are exciting times for women’s football and this progress will form part of a wider strategic direction for football as a whole. “I really look forward to shaping that future with the president and my fellow board members.”

Mathias added: “I am delighted to use my financial and transformational experience to help WRU thrive during this important and strategic journey. “I firmly believe it will be the WRU that creates a Welsh approach to rugby, leading to a modern, accessible and sustainable future for the game in Wales at all levels.”

WRU Chairman Richard Collier-Caywood said: “We have attracted a wide and diverse range of highly qualified candidates for the new Council roles of exceptionally high quality.

“The new WRU Board of Directors is taking shape and we are delighted with the combination of commercial and business experience, management acumen and knowledge of elite sport that we have been able to bring together.

“Not only have we significantly improved the gender diversity of our board, we have also introduced a new diversity of thought and experience, both in terms of age and profession, with the appointment of individuals who are highly respected in their fields.”