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Independent WRU Chair to Step Down in July 2026

Richard Collier-Keywood today announced that he will not stand for a second term as Chair of the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU), concluding his tenure on 16 July 2026 at the end of his three-year term.
Richard Collier-Keywood said: “It has been a tremendous privilege to serve as the first independent WRU chair. My term as Chair comes to an end in July 2026 and I have been reflecting with the Board on what should happen next. We wanted to make this announcement to enable the recruitment process to start and before the EGM is held on 13 April 2026 so everyone goes into the EGM process with the benefit of the same knowledge.

“Over the course of the last few years, the new Board has made key decisions unanimously despite the very difficult choices we have had to face. I am fully committed to serving out the remainder of my term, subject of course, to the outcome of the EGM.

“The people I have had the pleasure of working with in the WRU and outside, and the importance of and passion for rugby in Wales, have been a source of continued inspiration to me in carrying out this role. I am pleased to leave with two Welsh head coaches in place with Steve Tandy and Sean Lynn and I am looking forward to watching from the terraces as our teams go from strength to strength.”

A record of reform and improved financial results

Richard Collier-Keywood was appointed in 2023, after 97 per cent of member clubs voted in favour of the new independent board structure. That mandate set the direction of travel for a programme of governance reform which has been monitored and endorsed by the WRU’s independent scrutineer throughout.

Alison Thorne, Senior Independent Director and WRU board member said: “On behalf of the Board I want to thank Richard for his incredible hard work and dedication over the last three years. He can be very proud of integrating and leading a new board of elected members and independent non-executives to create a new strategy and direction for a sustainable rugby future in Wales.

“He inherited a very difficult financial position and an organisation with cultural problems. He has led from the front in terms of culture change and significantly improved our financial position culminating in the refinancing in January 2026 as a platform for future stability and growth. Richard has built a genuinely diverse board that brings together expertise from Welsh rugby, from business and from the communities we serve.”

Next steps

The WRU will now begin its formal, open recruitment process for a new independent chair. Full details of the process and the criteria for the role will be published shortly.

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