Phillips to remain as WRU chief executive

STEVE Phillips has been confirmed as the permanent chief executive of the Welsh Rugby Union.

The former WRU finance director has been occupying the role on an interim basis since Martyn Phillips’ departure last September.

The idea was to give the union’s board – led by chairman Robert Butcher – time to consider the best person to take up the position in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic.

Now after interviewing what Butcher describes as an “extremely strong field of candidates”, they have decided to hand Phillips the job on a permanent basis.

Former Amman Umited captain Phillips sees the re-financing of the £20m loan from NatWest, which the regions have to pay back, and the “wise” investment of the £51m of CVC Six Nations money as key issues to be addressed moving forward.

“I’m delighted to have been given a mandate by our chairman and board to continue in my current position and am grateful for this endorsement of the hard work by all of our staff over the last seven months, in extremely challenging times,” he said.

“Needless to say, it’s both a privilege and an honour to be leading this wonderful organisation, which is such a huge part of the fabric of Welsh life.

“It remains our stated ambition to ensure our members survive the current pandemic intact and that Welsh rugby remains in a position to continue to thrive once restrictions are over.

“This will not happen on its own and we know the Welsh rugby community and all the elements of our professional game must pull together in order to secure the future of our game and I am extremely proud to be in a position to lead that process.

“We now have a clear way ahead and every reason to be optimistic about the future.

“Investing the money which will come to us from the new CVC partnership with Six Nations wisely will be a key part of our strategy for the future.

“But we know we will also continue to face challenges in the short and medium term, added Phillips.

“Re-financing the loan from NatWest with Welsh Government support, which has ensured the survival of the pro-game to date, will be a vital next step and the whole game watches on in keen anticipation of the return of spectators.”