The race to become the next chair of the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) has intensified, with Los Angeles-based businessman Lyndon Faulkner emerging as a formidable challenger for the top job.
As the governing body seeks a successor to replace Richard Collier-Keywood, the appointment process reached a critical milestone last week with a final round of interviews conducted at the Sport Wales office in Cardiff. While former McKinsey & Company senior partner Harry Bowcott has long been considered the frontrunner, sources indicate that Faulkner has gained significant momentum, commanding substantial support from specific factions within the Union. This has effectively set the stage for a high-stakes, head-to-head contest between the two men.
The selection panel, which featured board members John Manders, Alison Thorne, Amanda Bennett, Andrew Williams, and Marianne Okland—with WRU President Terry Cobner acting as an observer—also heard from other prominent candidates. Among those interviewed were current Glamorgan Cricket chairman and former investment banker Mark Rhydderch-Roberts, as well as former Harlequins director of rugby Mark Evans.
Faulkner’s potential appointment would mark a homecoming for the Newport-born executive. A product of Bassaleg Comprehensive School, Faulkner possesses a deep-rooted connection to the sport, having previously played as a centre for both Newport RFC and Pontypool RFC.
However, his professional credentials lie primarily in the United States, where he has navigated the intersection of technology and international manufacturing. His expansive career began with Nimbus CD International in 1987, where he served as president and CEO during the pivotal era of CD and DVD expansion. Following a stint as chief executive of the Technicolor Digital Media Group, Faulkner transitioned to Microsoft, serving as general manager of its Americas Operations Group during the high-profile launches of the Xbox and Windows XP.
His reputation as a strategic leader was further cemented in 2006 when he took the helm of Pelican Products. Under his stewardship, the firm underwent a period of aggressive growth, highlighted by the $200 million acquisition of rival Hardigg Industries in 2008—a bold move that saw the company double in size despite the pressures of the global financial crisis.
The successful candidate will inherit the role at a defining moment in the history of Welsh rugby. The new chair will be tasked with navigating the WRU’s controversial and complex restructuring plans, which include the consolidation of the professional game from four teams to three. It is understood that the board is committed to this reduction, and the incoming chair will be expected to oversee the implementation of this policy.
With the interview process now concluded, all eyes are on the WRU board as they deliberate between the corporate expertise of the US-based Faulkner and the consultancy background of Bowcott in the battle to lead the future of the game in Wales.
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