The Welsh Rugby Union has confirmed that its finance director Tim Moss is leaving the governing body.
Mr Moss will stand down at the end of the month after 16 years with the union. He took up the role as finance director in 2020, after his predecessor in the position, Steve Phillips, was appointed firstly interim and then permanent chief executive of the union. Mr Phillips quit his role in February.
Mr Moss informed the board of his decision in February and will continue to be available to help conclude remaining work streams after his departure.
He has been at the heart of recent negotiations with the regions, through the Professional Rugby Board (PRB), over an agreed new six year funding deal - which is subject to external approvals relating to the union’s existing loan arrangements.
Mr Moss has been succeeded in his role in an interim basis by Dan Mills following an internal promotion.
He said: "In the last 15 years the turnover of the Welsh Rugby Union has doubled. Year in, year out, the WRU punches above its weight commercially and Principality Stadium consistently hosts major international events like the Rugby World Cup, the Champions League Final, the Olympics and brings a large variety of world-renowned music acts to Cardiff.
“All of this revenue is fed back into the game in Wales and supports the full spectrum of rugby . There has been no doubt that the pandemic placed a huge amount of financial pressure on Welsh rugby at all levels, including the Union itself.
“We have survived together and the years ahead will be about rebuilding and looking to maximise our revenues in order to allow us to continue re-investing as much as we can in the game.
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“The finances of our national game remain finely balanced but, through collaboration at Professional Rugby Board level and an immense amount of hard work from everyone in the game in Wales, we will be able to move forward.
“We have agreed and constructed a solid base from which success can grow and I am confident I will leave Welsh rugby with newfound stability and significantly increased potential.”
“I have been immensely proud to work for the WRU and proud to serve alongside incredibly dedicated colleagues who work tirelessly for the game. Recent governance reforms will help ensure the game is in safe hands, but it must unite and stick together in order to bring the successes Wales deserves at all levels."
WRU group interim CEO Nigel Walker said: “As an integral part of the PRB and the WRU executive team Tim Moss has worked tirelessly to help bring our professional game to a point where we can be optimistic about its potential and realistic about its ability to sustain itself in the medium to long term.
“He goes onto his new ventures with the blessings and gratitude of a Welsh Rugby Union, which is undergoing a period of change, but in a stronger place now than when Tim began to make his contributions to our strategy and direction of travel.
“We welcome Dan Mills on board as a hugely capable replacement for Tim and wish Tim well for the future.”
An independent review is currently looking at allegations of sexism, misogyny, homophobia and racism within the union.
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