The Professional Rugby Board has confirmed Marianne Økland as its permanent chair and has also appointed former London Welsh chair Bleddyn Phillips as its second independent non-executive director.
Økland has been interim chair since Malcolm Wall reached the end of his tenure in March and will now start her three-year term.
Phillips brings governance and legal expertise
Phillips was chair of London Welsh when they were in the top tier of English rugby, while he is also a former director of the Scarlets.
He has also chaired the Council at Swansea University (2019-2023) and has a distinguished background as a leading international lawyer with an extensive record in governance across Welsh sporting, educational, cultural and commercial sectors.
Phillips has been commercial director at oil companies BP and Total, and later Global Head of the Oil and Gas practice at the international law firm Clifford Chance LLP, and was a trustee of the Wales Millennium Centre for a six-year period to 2018.
Økland secures permanent role
Former Harlequins director of rugby and Melbourne Storm CEO Mark Evans was one potential candidate who was in the mix to replace Wall as PRB chair.
But the WRU has decided to offer the role on a permanent basis to Økland, who has been on the PRB board since May 2020 and has the full backing of all PRB board members.
The recruitment process for the role was outsourced externally to specialist firm GatenbySanderson.
"I am delighted to be able to continue working with the four pro-clubs, the WRPA and the WRU as PRB chair," said Økland, who joined the PRB in 2020.
"We have a challenging time ahead of us and it was important to me that every individual member of the PRB supported my continued leadership.
"It is a vote of confidence I don’t take for granted and which I will do my utmost to deserve. I firmly believe that we in Welsh rugby are stronger when we are able to work together despite our differences.
"A warm welcome also to Bleddyn who brings significant and valuable expertise to the Board."
Critical period ahead for Welsh rugby
The PRB consists of senior representatives of each of the four professional clubs, and includes the Welsh Rugby Players Association CEO and the WRU CEO and Chief Finance and Operating Officer.
The next few months will be critical as the Welsh Rugby Union pushes ahead with plans to cut the number of professional clubs from four to three, with the Ospreys and the Scarlets in the firing line.
They have also held talks with senior figures in England over the prospect of entering two Welsh clubs into the Gallagher Prem - a potential move that could have huge repercussions and alter the landscape further.
A Welsh rugby summit involving key stakeholders in the pro game is scheduled for December, following the Annual General Meeting at the end of November.
"I’m delighted to be joining the PRB at such an important time for the game in Wales," added Phillips.
"A lot of planning and detail has already gone into ensuring a sustainable and successful professional game in Wales for the future and I look forward to playing my part in the long term best interests of Welsh rugby."
