The WRU has strengthened its executive team
The WRU’s new chief operating officer Gavin Marshall
The Welsh Rugby Union has appointed former Bristol Sports Group CEO Gavin Marshall as its new Chief Operating Officer.
Marshall joins the WRU from the position of Chief Executive Officer of the Bristol Sport group, which includes Bristol City (men and women); Bristol Bears (men and women) and Bristol Flyers. He takes up his new post on Monday, November 3, but is already contributing to the WRU’s ongoing review of the professional game in Wales.
The Union began recruiting for a new COO earlier this year when it was confirmed incumbent Leighton Davies would move to Chief Commercial Officer (CCO), a position he took up at the start of September.
Marshall’s appointment is the final piece in the jigsaw after CEO Abi Tierney stated her intention to streamline the executive team at the Union.
He joins Director of Rugby and Elite Performance Dave Reddin, Director of the Community Game Geraint John, Chief People Officer Lydia Stirling and Leighton Davies in Tierney’s new look executive team. Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby.
“This is a pivotal executive role responsible for driving operational excellence, efficiency, and profitable performance across all WRU operational activities and we are delighted to welcome Gavin on Board as our new Chief Operating Officer,” said WRU chair Richard Collier-Keywood.
“Gavin is a hugely experienced operator and will bring operational and financial rigour to Abi’s newly streamlined executive team, picking up where Leighton left off but also adding huge value to the WRU based on his previous roles.
“Gavin will oversee Finance, Stadium Operations and Event Delivery, Technology Operations and Legal.” Get the latest breaking Welsh rugby news stories sent straight to your inbox with our FREE daily newsletter. Sign up here.
He joins the WRU at a pivotal time in its history with the governing body set to radically alter the face of the professional game.
Last month the WRU executive stated its preference was to cut from four to two professional men’s teams but that could change upon the conclusion of the consultation. Join WalesOnline Rugby’s WhatsApp Channel here to get the breaking news sent straight to your phone for free
The WRU board will take October to discuss its options before making a final decision at the end of that month.
Marshall joined the Bristol sporting group as Group CFO in 2016 and was made Group CEO in the summer of 2022.
“For almost a decade I have lived and breathed our multi-sport offering, and I am proud to have played a part in helping drive record growth across all five sports teams during that time,” said Marshall.
“Being a proud Welshman, the opportunity to work for the WRU is a dream come true for me.”