IRB chief executive, Mike Miller, said: “Phase one of the IRB’s modernisation was the historic decision by Council last November to adopt a new governance structure and strategic plan. The council recognised that the game’s policy-making and delivery mechanisms required change to meet the present day requirements of the game.
“One of the main aims of the strategic plan is strong and effective leadership by the IRB. I believe these measures will strengthen our leadership and ensure we efficiently deliver all our goals, including the important rollout of the £30 million investment commitment over the next three years to new development initiatives for tier one and tier two unions,” added Miller.
The internal restructure will see the development and tournaments departments amalgamated into one Rugby department. It will have responsibility for all planning, management and running of all non-RWC tournaments, including U19 and U21 World Championships, IRB Sevens and the Super Cup. It will also deliver rugby development programmes in regions and unions, education and training, elite referee management and player welfare initiatives.
The Rugby, Communications, Rugby World Cup, Council & Member Services and finance departments have all been restructured and strengthened through internal and/or external appointments. These moves are said to make the departments “better-equipped to drive and manage the project-based implementation of the strategic plan”.
