Lyndon Faulkner appointed WRU chair ahead of November AGM

Lyndon Faulkner has been appointed chair of the Welsh Rugby Union, with the union saying he will be in place by its annual general meeting on Sunday 22 November. The appointment, announced on Monday 12 October, puts a Welsh businessman with a playing background at Newport and Pontypool in charge of the board. The WRU says it recruited him following an international search.

What the chair will be responsible for

The WRU describes Faulkner’s mandate as leading the board in setting the strategic direction for rugby in Wales and holding the executive team and staff to account for delivering it. It says he will commit significant time each week in a professional capacity and represent the union internationally. That places his role in board leadership and scrutiny of implementation. Abi Tierney remains the chief executive named in the announcement. She said the working relationship between a chief executive and chair needs both challenge and support. Faulkner said he would begin by listening to the game’s stakeholders and remain “open to credible challenge”. He plans to meet member clubs at the November AGM.

A playing career followed by international business

Born near Newport and educated at Bassaleg Comprehensive School, Faulkner played for Newport Youth, Newport RFC and Pontypool RFC. The WRU says a serious knee injury ended his playing career. The union’s biography lists senior executive roles involving Nimbus CD International, Technicolor and Microsoft. He joined Pelican Products in 2006 and retired from the company in 2021. The next dated milestone in the announcement is the 22 November AGM. The release sets out his responsibilities and background, but does not announce a new policy programme or decisions arising from his appointment.