Chris Brindley Is New Rugby League World Cup Chair

Rugby League World Cup 2021 has confirmed the appointment of Chris Brindley MBE as the tournament’s newly appointed Chair of the Board, replacing Brian Barwick.

A member of the RLWC2021 Board since 2018, he has held senior executive roles with NatWest, British Gas and Metro Bank, as well as non-exec positions in the sports industry with the likes of the Rugby Football League and the Manchester Football Association.

He has been Business Mentor at the Premier League Elite Academy Manager Programme and Chair of the Sporting House Group and Chair of the County Sports Partnership, GreaterSport (from 2007-2018).

In June 2018, he was awarded an MBE for his services to sport.

His accolades include Britain’s Best Boss, Sales & Marketing Director of the Year for three consecutive years and Sales Leader of the Year at the National Sales Awards. In 2017, he was awarded United Kingdom Non-Executive Director of the Year by the Institute of Directors.

Speaking on his appointment, he said: “I am extremely proud to have been appointed to  the position of Chair of the Board at RLWC2021. Already occupying a position on the board, I know that the team has enjoyed a fantastic start on the project and have gained some real momentum.

“It is important to keep this impetus going, and in my new role as Chair of the Board, we will ensure that we work together to ensure key objectives are met, and the team can deliver the biggest and best Rugby League World Cup ever.”

RLWC2021 Chief Executive Jon Dutton added: “Chris’ CV speaks for itself. He has a fantastic breadth of knowledge, both from a sporting and a business perspective, which will help us in pursuit of our ambitious goals.

“Moreover, Chris offers a unique set of experiences, which include working with Elite athletes and using sport as the inspirational learning model to inspire success within business. His previous successes at GreaterSport will really support our ambitious legacy programme. This epitomises the work which is at the core of RLWC2021’s ethos, and as an already valuable member of our board, his promotion to Chair of the Board is well deserved.”