Page 12 - RFU Annual Report 2017

10
Chairman of the Board

Andy Cosslett
Chairman

I followed Bill Beaumont into the role proposals for change which have close consultation with Council
of Board Chairman in October 2016. now been discussed at Council on going forward.
Bill presided for four years before several occasions. With Council
becoming Chairman of World Rugby endorsement these proposals have A target of having at least 30% female
and in this time he made a huge been approved by the members at representation on the Board of
contribution to England Rugby. We a Special General Meeting on 24 Directors will be just one element of
are indebted to Bill for his efforts on November 2017. increasing diversity and inclusivity
behalf of the Union and it is great to across the Union and throughout the
see him engaged now with the game These changes, agreed by the game, game.
on a global level. bring the Union’s governance right
up to date, making transparent the As part of our drive to consistently
The RFU aims to have the best roles and responsibilities of each improve the operation of the Board
possible corporate governance and element of our decision making of Directors, we recently engaged
we operate a Board with a balanced process and ensuring we have the an independent expert to conduct a
mix of independent non-executive right decisions made by the right comprehensive Board effectiveness
directors, Council members and people. review. I am pleased to report that
executive staff to help us achieve we are making excellent progress
this goal. The RFU is unique among governing in implementing the report’s
bodies in having a co-operative recommendations and are already
I am delighted to welcome to the structure and being a members’ seeing the benefits.
Board Stephen Pearson. Stephen organisation, with a one member,
is Oxford University’s Council one vote principle enshrined in One of these recommendations was
representative and chairman of our its constitution. Member clubs to hold more Board meetings away
Rugby Growth Sub-Committee, the safeguard the game as a whole, with from Twickenham. We began by
RFU Pension Fund Trustees and the the Board of Directors responsible for having a meeting at Henley RFC
Player Safety and Welfare Board. the day-to-day running of the RFU. in December, with the September
Welcome also to Genevieve Shore The Council, made up predominantly 2017 Board meeting taking place at
who joins us as a newly-appointed of clubs’ representatives, holds the Preston Grasshoppers RFC.
Independent Non-Executive Director. Board of Directors to account on
Her past international rugby career member clubs’ behalf. Meeting in community clubs
and passion for the grassroots helps to keep the Board in touch
game, together with her business Since 2014, the Board of Directors with the grassroots game and the
experience and background as an have been subject to term limits issues facing it. Our new four- year
experienced Non-Executive Director, and it is proposed that from 2018 strategy looks to focus more of the
will be a great asset. a nine year limit will also apply to Union’s resources on the needs of
Council membership. This will allow community clubs, so it is right that
Regular reviews of our structure for a more regular flow of talented the Board spends more time in that
and our ways of working are also people up and down our volunteer environment and it is, after all, where
important in the governance of the structures. Very few exceptions to the we all began our rugby journey.
Union. Our recent governance review nine year limit will exist, to include
is the third in a decade and follows extensions for those on the Board of I would like to thank my Board
the 2008 Constitutional Review Task Directors, the Presidential ladder and colleagues and everyone connected
Group review, and further reforms for representatives to international to the Union for their considerable
after the Slaughter and May review bodies such as World Rugby, with efforts in making this a world class
in 2011. some transitional arrangements for sporting organisation. I must pay a
existing Council members. big tribute to Ian Ritchie in particular,
The Code for Sports Governance, who has retired from the RFU after
published on behalf of the There will also be a new process five and a half great years in the role
Government by Sport England and for appointing non-executive of CEO. Ian leaves a substantial
UK Sport in October 2016, was a members of the Board of Directors, legacy and the Union will feel the
timely catalyst for this latest stage allowing member clubs at an AGM beneficial impact of the initiatives he
of reform. A working group, chaired to ratify their appointment. Some put in place for a long time. We wish
by Jason Leonard and made up responsibilities will move from the him and his wife Jill all the very best
of seven Council members and Council to the Board, most notably for the years to come.
one Independent Non-Executive approving the annual budget,
Director, developed a series of although this process will still require

Annual Report 2017