Malcolm Wall leaves post as chair of Welsh rugby’s Professional Rugby Board with ‘issues unresolved’
Malcolm Wall will leave his job as independent chair of Welsh rugby’s Professional Rugby Board (PRB) with “some issues unresolved.”
Marianne Økland will take interim charge of the Board in Wall’s place, ahead of the organisation’s next monthly meeting.
Wall chaired the PRB for three years, and will conclude his time on 14th March.
The PRB was formed in 2019 to oversee the professional game in Wales as part of a programme of governance modernisation which saw its independently appointed chair join the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) Board.
The inaugural PRB chair was company-restructuring expert David Lovett and he was succeeded a year later by insurance supremo Amanda Blanc, before Malcolm Wall took up the position in 2022 to begin his three-year term.
“The last few years have been a challenging time for Welsh rugby at all levels and it is unavoidable that my term has come to its natural end with some issues unresolved,” outgoing PRB chair Malcolm Wall said.
“The WRU has done much to improve and evolve the governance, culture and financial status of the Union. It has overseen significant improvements in the resourcing of the community game. It has started a significant programme to develop the women’s game. However, the men’s professional game remains challenged.
“From my perspective, change needs to include the planned investment in pathways, player and coach development along with a centralised resource providing sports science and analysis to the senior teams,” Wall added.
“It also needs greater funding for the professional clubs.
“As the smallest tier one rugby nation, Wales needs to be the smartest. This needs resourcing alongside a collective will.
“It is not always easy and change brings upheaval – but I have no doubt that the indomitable spirit of Welsh rugby will prevail. I wish everyone involved with rugby in Wales the very best.”
The WRU will contend with an extraordinary general meeting (EGM) in the coming weeks, with a vote of no confidence in Richard Collier-Keywood – chair of the Union – tabled.
There is also a motion to remove the chair of the PRB, if a vote of no confidence is passed, however it is not yet clear whether the departure of Wall will change the proposal by clubs from the Central Glamorgan Rugby Union (CGRU) district.
Økland joined the PRB as a second independent non-executive member alongside then-chair Amanda Blanc in 2020 and is currently serving a second three-year term which comes to an end in the summer. The rest of the PRB is made up of the Welsh Rugby Players Association chair, senior representatives of each of the four professional clubs in Wales and two senior WRU figures, namely the CEO and the COO.
Økland, a Norwegian financier, has been appointed PRB chair on an interim basis whilst negotiations between the WRU and the professional clubs on new licence agreements, linked to the current transformation of the professional game are ongoing.
The WRU have confirmed that no decisions have yet been taken on the award of the licences, which are currently being discussed.
Interim PRB chair Marianne Økland said: “First off, I want to thank Malcolm for his friendship and tireless contribution to the PRB and Welsh rugby.
“My immediate priorities are to work collaboratively with the WRU, the professional clubs and the WRPA through the PRB, to ensure the views of all PRB members are represented on the WRU board and to contribute towards moving forward at pace where possible given the complexity of the task.
“Pre-appointment I have discussed my candidature and priorities with all PRB members who have given me their support.”
Richard Collier Keywood, Independent Chair, WRU added: “On behalf of the whole Board, I thank Malcolm for his service and his steady counsel. The PRB chair is a vital role for the professional game. Our interim arrangement gives us the flexibility to complete a robust appointment process while continuing to work constructively with the professional clubs on the future structure of elite rugby.”
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