RFU Announces Chairs RWC2015 RegionalActivation/LegacyGroups

The Groups will support the RFU's aim to deliver a strong and effective legacy beyond 2015

Two ex-England Captains appointed as Chairs

The Chairs, which include former England Captains Fran Cotton and Peter Wheeler, will be responsible for working closely with RFU management,  RFU Constituent Bodies (CBs), and the England Rugby 2015 team to oversee the development and implementation of a robust activation and legacy plan. The Groups will mirror the six RFU regional areas, and RFU area managers will be central to the effective delivery of the Groups.

The Groups will help to execute the seven national legacy strands previously outlined by the RFU to deliver the greatest participation legacy for the game, as well as supporting ER 2015 in operational areas of the tournament.

Bill Beaumont, RFU Chairman said: “Hosting the Rugby World Cup in less than three years gives us an incredible opportunity to grow the game. Our plans to ensure we build an effective legacy are already well underway and today’s appointment of six Chairs to lead our Regional Activation and Legacy Groups is an important next step. They will all bring a wealth of experience and relevant skills to the role, adding value to the local delivery work of our CBs and staff.”

The role of Chair is voluntary and individuals are committed up until April 2016.

Andy Cosslett, ER 2015 Chairman commented: “The Rugby World Cup is the biggest event in Rugby Union. The work of the Regional Legacy Groups will be key to us delivering an unforgettable tournament that makes the most of this unique opportunity to build the strength and appeal of the game.”

Ends

[1] The RFU seven participation legacy strands are :

• Better facilities
• Investing in people
• More schools
• Returning players
• Touch Rugby
• Other nations
• Cultural engagement

Area 1 – Chris Booy O.B.E

Chris Booy has considerable experience in the rugby world, having been the principal shareholder of Bristol Rugby Club for 10 years and Chairman for the last three years. More recently, he became a Director of Bristol Sport, the umbrella organisation looking after the financial and commercial affairs of both Bristol Rugby Club and Bristol City Football Club. Chris was an RFU Council member in 2004/05 representing First Division Rugby (now the RFU Championship). 

He is a renowned figure in the construction industry, having built Symonds Group into one of the most successful construction consultancy businesses in the UK, until selling it to the Capita Group in 2004. He is now non-executive Chairman of the consultancy arm, Capita Symonds, which has a turnover of over £300 million and 3,500 employees. Chris was awarded an OBE for services to the Ministry of Defence in 1996.

Area 2 – Vic Luck

Vic Luck has extensive experience as a Board member and General Manager in blue-chip international organisations, including PricewaterhouseCoopers and IBM.

Since retiring from full-time employment, he has continued to hold non-executive directorships and acted as a leadership consultant to a number of organisations, including Vice-Chair of the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy Business Board.

He has held several leadership and advisory roles in the management of the Game, including Chair of the Management Board of the Rugby Players Association and Chair of the Player Development Group, reporting to the Professional Game Board. He is a director of the Foundation for Leadership through Sport which with UK Sport and a number of NGBs, has championed more investment in leadership development among sports organisation management and high-performance athletes.

Area 3 – Roger Clarke

Roger Clarke has held directorships and board positions with a range of organisations, including MD Foods now Arla UK, the National Federation of Retail Newsagents, CEO of Quik’s Symbol Store Group and Vice Chair of NFRN Mutual insurance Company, and is currently the Director General of the British Specialist Nutrition Association, where he represents the organisation as an Operating Board Member of both the European and Global dietetic Food Organisations. He is currently Chair of both the UK Sports Nutrition and Gluten Free Foods Groups.

He is also an experienced Chair at voluntary organisation level, including Tunbridge Wells RFC, The Borderers Sports Club and the Old Skinners’ Society. Roger has been Chairman of Kent County RFU Executive Committee for the last five years.

Area 4 – Peter Wheeler

Peter Wheeler has almost 50 years’ involvement with the Game at school, university, local club, professional club and international level, with 41 England caps, having captained the side in 1983/84. He was Leicester Tigers club captain for five seasons, and played in seven tests for the British Lions.

He was previously Chief Executive Officer of the Insurance Brokers, Wheeler Major Mahon Limited, Managing Director of P&G Bland Limited and has held a number of roles with Leicester Tigers, where he is currently Executive Director. Peter represents the club on the board of Premiership Rugby Limited and represents the Aviva Premiership clubs on the Professional Game Board and the European Rugby Cup Limited Board. He was also a member of the RFU Council for 16 years and a member of the RFU Management Board for nine years.

Area 5 – Fran Cotton

Fran Cotton made his England debut against Scotland in 1971, and played for them 31 times. He also captained the England team three times and represented the British Lions on three tours. His clubs included Coventry R.F.C. and Sale.

After retiring, he remained in rugby administration and founded the clothing company Cotton Traders in 1987, one of the most successful mail order companies in the UK. It now employs 1,000 staff and has an annual turnover of more than £65 million. In July 2007, Cotton returned to his former club Sale as a member of the club's board. He is also Honorary President of the rugby charity Wooden Spoon, improving the lives of disadvantaged children and young people in Britain and Ireland. Fran was also Chairman of Club England from 1998 to 2004.

Area 6 - Robin Wannop

Robin Wannop has held numerous positions within the Game and he played for Ryton RFC for 30 years, including 1st XV Captain in 1978-79 and 1981-82. He has been on Durham County Committee for over 25 years and was President in 2004-05. Robin is currently Chairman of the DCRFU Community Rugby Standing Committee.

During the 16 years he has been the DCRFU RFU Council Representative, he has written the Wannop Report on the transition of YDOs to RDOs and the creation of Regional Rugby Development Managers. Robin was also Chairman of U18s for 10 years up to 2011.

He retired from HBOS in 2009, where he had worked for over 20 years in the Residential Surveying Department as Area Manager. Prior to joining HBOS, Robin was Equity Partner at Thomas Pattinson Daglish & Hall.