The former chief executive of the one the 海角视频鈥檚 biggest and most successful businesses Halma, Andrew Williams, has been appointed the latest independent non-executive director of the Welsh Rugby Union.
He completes a group of eight externally appointed directors to the union鈥檚 governing body, after 97% of its member clubs agreed an governance overhaul at an emergency general meeting in March.
Mr Williams, a former board member of Cardiff Rugby, replaces the former chief executive of FTSE 100 car insurance to loans group Admiral, Henry Engelhardt. Chicago-born Mr Engelhardt has stood down ahead of his term expiring next spring. Mr Williams will take up the role in January.
The new-look board, led by the WRU鈥檚 first independent chair in Richard Collier-Keywood, has now doubled the number of externally appointed director - a move significantly boosting its range of skillsets and experience.
Cardiff-born Mr Williams led Halma, a global group of life-saving technology companies with operations in over 20 countries, for 18 consecutive years before standing down earlier this year. Over that period its market capitalisation grew from 拢600m to over 拢8.5bn.
He said:鈥淚鈥檓 delighted to be returning to rugby and look forward to helping to address some of the significant challenges and opportunities ahead,鈥 said Williams.
鈥淔ollowing the recently implemented board changes, I am pleased the WRU has made some important statements recently about the need for the WRU to work positively with the professional clubs, which I see as a vital step to improved success at all levels.
鈥淎longside the cultural changes already underway, we cannot underestimate the ongoing financial challenges and that growth, both in the wider business and the game in Wales, is absolutely vital to ensure our recovery is sustainable in a way which embraces all stakeholders.
鈥淚鈥檓 looking forward to working with Richard and Abi (Tierney new chief executive) and the whole organisation in putting Welsh rugby back onto to a sounder footing both on- and off-the-field.鈥
Mr Collier-Keywood, a former managing partner of PwC in the 海角视频, said: 鈥淭his is a major coup for Welsh rugby and one that reinforces our brand and supports the reform path we are on.
鈥淲e are delighted to have been able to persuade a former FTSE 100 chief executive of Andrew鈥檚 standing to come back into the Welsh rugby family at a time when we need top commercial experience on the board.鈥
