Co-founder of one of Wales’ most successful ever businesses Admiral, Henry Engelhardt, has joined the board of the Welsh Rugby Union.
Chicago-born Mr Engelhardt, who stood down as chief executive of the FTSE 100 car insurance to home loans group in 2016, joins chief operating officer of Royal London Asset Management, Catherine Read, as new independent non-executive directors (INEDs).
They replace the union’s first INEDs in Tim Griffin and Aileen Richards, the former Mars executive who also became the first woman to sit on the WRU board, having served their full six year terms.
Ms Read joins two other existing female board members in WRU vice-chair Liza Burgess and Professional Rugby Board chair Amanda Blanc who is chief executive of Aviva plc.
Originally from Haverfordwest, Ms Read plays a leading role at Royal London Asset Management which manages around £148bn of assets.
Chairman of the WRU board, Robert Butcher, said: "As well as welcoming both Cat and Henry to the WRU Board I would also like to thank each of the high calibre candidates who stood alongside them for our two vacant INED positions.
"We have completed an in depth and rigorous selection process and believe we have selected the two strongest candidates from what was an incredible field. It is always humbling to realise the strength of the draw of Welsh rugby.
“In Henry we have a truly impressive individual who has committed to dedicate the full extent of his expertise and experience to Welsh rugby over the course of his tenure and the Board and the game will be all the better for this commitment.
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“Cat brings a unique set of skills, knowledge and experience to the Boardroom. Her energy and enthusiasm were very much evident during the search and in interview and we are all extremely excited by the prospect of working with both her and Henry in the immediate future as we look to secure the way ahead for Welsh rugby at this pivotal time.
“Of course, I must also extend the sincere gratitude of the board to our inaugural INED’s Aileen and Tim for their service to the game over the last six years.
“Both have been integral to important changes to our governance structure and to modernising the WRU and they have been excellent servants to the game.”
Ms Read said: “I am delighted to have been selected to join the WRU board as an INED and I’m very much looking forward to the challenges ahead.
“Just like most of the population of Wales I have a huge amount of love for the game and my country and also a personal affinity with the sport based on my formative years in Wales.
“It is exciting to combine my professional experience with my passion for Welsh rugby as I know only too well how much the game matters to the country.
“I bring a strong set of skills in audit and risk from 20 years in commercial organisations, but also share a passion and dedication to the game that I know is reflected throughout the WRU board.”
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Mr Engelhardt said: “I love sport, I love Wales – it is my adopted home, and I believe I can bring additional commercial, strategic and business thinking to the board
“Through a lifetime’s exposure to sport, from my college days to my involvement with the Chicago Cubs, I have been able to take a look at the business of sport and I’m aware of many of the challenges and opportunities that face the WRU today.
“After 30 years in Wales the game has become close to my heart as it is for almost all those living in Wales. I now ‘dream in rugby’.
“Forming strategies and good teams, growing and developing both of these to deliver success in the 海角视频 and overseas and using data to help enable businesses decisions these are all things I have done successfully and I feel I will be able to bring this experience to this role.”