Former Welsh Rugby Union interim chief executive Nigel Walker has been appointed chairman of Welsh Athletics, marking his return to a prominent role in Welsh sport.
Walker, a former Wales rugby international and Olympic hurdler, succeeds Steve Perks after serving as vice-chair of Welsh Athletics for the past year. He left the WRU in December 2024 following a turbulent period for the governing body.
A distinguished sporting career
Walker is one of Welsh sport's most recognisable figures, having enjoyed distinguished careers in both athletics and rugby before moving into sports administration. He represented Great Britain in the 110m hurdles at the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles and competed for Wales at the 1986 and 1990 Commonwealth Games before switching to rugby. As a player, he made 121 appearances for Cardiff and won 17 caps for Wales.
His off-field career includes senior leadership positions such as chief executive of the English Institute of Sport, WRU performance director and interim chief executive of the WRU. Following his departure from Welsh rugby, he also served as interim chief executive of Basketball England.
Controversial WRU tenure
Walker was a central figure at the WRU during one of its most difficult periods. He stepped in as interim chief executive after Steve Phillips left following an independent review that uncovered evidence of sexism, misogyny, racism and homophobia within the union's culture.
After Abi Tierney was appointed permanent chief executive in January 2024, Walker became executive director of rugby before leaving at the end of that year. During his time at the WRU, he oversaw the introduction of the first professional contracts for Wales' women's team and played a key role in delivering governance reforms that were overwhelmingly backed by member clubs.
However, his tenure also attracted criticism. Walker faced scrutiny over the WRU's handling of contract negotiations with the Wales women's squad ahead of the 2024 WXV2 tournament. His hard-line negotiating approach – having allegedly told the women's players they would be withdrawn from the next World Cup if they did not sign the deals on offer – was criticised in some quarters. The dispute prompted an independent review, which concluded there had been poor behaviour but found no evidence of sexism.
Walker eventually left after a review into Wales' dismal run of form, which saw them lose 12 consecutive Test matches in a year. Warren Gatland survived that review, but Walker left his post.
New role at Welsh Athletics
Now, 19 months after leaving the WRU, Walker has returned to a prominent role in Welsh sport as chairman of Welsh Athletics. Speaking after his appointment, he said: "I am delighted to have been appointed and looking forward to continue the progress made over the past years."
