Chris Brindley MBE has joined the Welsh Rugby Players Association as a Non-Executive.
Chris is one of the UK’s most eminent business leaders, with previous executive roles with NatWest, British Gas and Metro Bank. Chris is the current Chair of the 2021 Rugby League World Cup and holds a number of senior board positions across sport, including the Rugby Football League and the Manchester Football Association.
In 2018, he was awarded an MBE for services to sport. His other achievements of note include; Britain’s Best Boss, Most Outstanding Workplace at the National Business Awards and he was awarded Non-Executive Director of the Year by the institute of Directors in 2017.
Chris is a leading authority in performance management, strategy, customer experience and employee engagement; particularly within organisations where change is a feature.
His strengths include building high performance teams, enhancing productivity through employee engagement and situational leadership. Chris has spoken in the UK, Europe, Africa and Australia on topics including change management, culture, customer experience and coaching.
On joining the WRPA Non-Executives, Chris Brindley said:
“I am very excited to get involved with the WRPA. They have made significant steps forward in recent times and have done some incredible work representing their members during a very difficult period. Player welfare is crucial in this climate and I hope that I can help the WRPA keep the significant momentum they have generated in this area.”
Welcoming Chris to the organisation, WRPA Chairman and Ospreys forward, James King, said:
“We are delighted to have Chris on board. His background, experience and accolades demonstrate the calibre in which Chris operates. His diverse knowledge of sport and business will no doubt help us achieve our very ambitious objectives.”
Barry Cawte, WRPA Chief Executive, said:
“It is fantastic news that Chris has agreed to join us. Chris has a unique career and we are privileged that we are adding more expertise in business and sport to the association. Chris has worked with elite athletes before and, as such, understands the demands our members face. Chris is an inspirational leader and I have no doubt he will help guide our team and our members to more success in the future.”
Chris’ appointment ensures the WRPA continues to add industry leading global expertise in what is a very challenging time for professional sport. Chris joins the Non-Executive Board alongside Professor Nicola Phillips OBE, a leading sports medicine expert; Scott Bowers, Chief Corporate Affairs Officer at The Jockey Club and one of the sports industry’s leading communications professionals; Damian Phillips, Partner at law firm Darwin Gray LLP and one of the UK’s leading lawyers in the employment and sports sectors; and Phil Lane OBE who was awarded an OBE for services to sport after leading Britain’s Paralympic teams to unprecedented success in three Olympic games.