Scottish Rugby Limited to appoint new Chair in 2023

An extensive recruitment process will begin in the new year for a new Chair of the Scottish Rugby Limited Board, recently renamed followed the conclusion of the governance review.

Jeffrey was appointed on a permanent basis in December 2020, after being interim Chair for the preceding six months. His three-year term as Chair of the Scottish Rugby Limited Board was due to end in May 2023.

At a meeting in late November the Scottish Rugby Limited Board voted unanimously to retain Jeffrey as a Senior Non-Executive Board Member for a further three-year term from the end of his time as Chair given his extensive knowledge and influence in the game, especially at international level through his respective World Rugby roles.

The process to appoint a new Chair will be led by Senior Independent Director Lesley Thomson KC supported by Bob Richmond representing the Board’s Nominations sub-committee and Scottish Rugby’s Chief People & Engagement Officer, Shona Bell and Chair of the Scottish Rugby Union, Professor Lorne Crerar.

The new Scottish Rugby governance structure, voted for by member clubs at a Special General Meeting in September, is now in place and currently working through a bedding in phase.

One of its stipulations is that the new Scottish Rugby Union Board, chaired by Professor Lorne Crerar, which has an oversight remit for the operational and executive activities, will be part of the final approval process when a suitable candidate for Chair is identified.

Senior Independent Director Lesley Thomson said: “I’d like to thank JJ for his significant contribution to Scottish Rugby during his time as Chair. Coming into the role while we were in the grip of the Covid pandemic was not an easy task and he helped the Board and Scottish Rugby to navigate its way through that period, and beyond, successfully.

“I think it’s important we don’t lose his expertise so I’m very pleased he will continue to be a Board member in the coming years where his knowledge and associations with the global game will be of real value.”

Scottish Rugby Chair John Jeffrey said: “We have covered an enormous amount of ground over the period I have had the privilege of chairing the Board, from the pandemic through to the implementation of our new strategy – Wellbeing, Women and Winning.

“The timing is right to enable the important work being undertaken around diversity and inclusion in the Scottish Rugby Board to continue. I’d like to thank my Board colleagues and all the hard-working people at Scottish Rugby who have supported me while I was in post.

“Together we have achieved a lot of important work and I’m pleased, and grateful, to have the support of the Board to continue to contribute alongside them in a new capacity for a further three years.”

Professor Lorne Crerar, Chair of Scottish Rugby Union said: “In addition to John’s significant contribution to rugby I would like to thank him for his encouragement during the journey of the most recent Governance Review and his support for its final outcomes which creates a new structure for the organisation and management of Scottish Rugby.

“With any change comes new opportunity and I look forward to working with Lesley and her colleagues to appoint a new Chair of Scottish Rugby over the coming months.”