Australian Rugby Union announces changes to Board

Dec 18 • Australia, General News, International • 2056 Views • Comments Off on Australian Rugby Union announces changes to Board

Australian Rugby Union (ARU) has announced changes to the Board.

At today’s meeting Michael Hawker AM announced he will step down as Chairman, a position he has held since 2012. Mr Hawker, a former Wallaby who played 25 Tests for Australia, will remain on the Board as a Director until the 2016 AGM. Mr Hawker has served the maximum nine-year Board term across two periods: from 2001-2003, and from 2009-2015.

Cameron Clyne was elected as the new Chairman, effective 1 January 2016. Mr Clyne has been a Director on the Board since October 2013 and is the current Chair of the Audit & Risk Sub-Committee. Following a professional career during which he was Managing Director and Group CEO at NAB, he has been a very active and diligent Board Director. Mr Clyne has had a lifelong involvement in Rugby having represented Victoria as a player in matches against the All Blacks and Springboks.

The Board also approved the appointment of former Australian Sex Discrimination Commissioner Elizabeth Broderick. Ms Broderick will join the Board for her first meeting in February 2016 and will replace Nerolie Withnall, who served on the Board from October 2013 to June 2015.

New ARU Chairman Mr Clyne thanked Mr Hawker and Ms Withnall for their contributions in their respective roles, and welcomed the appointment of Ms Broderick.

“Michael has been a terrific Chairman and guided the Board admirably through some challenging years. His passion for Rugby and his experience in the banking and insurance industries as a director and non-executive director significantly enhanced the capability of the Board to deliver the best possible outcomes for Australian Rugby.

“It is a privilege to succeed him as Chairman. He has left the Board and Australian Rugby in a strong position for the future.

“Nerolie has made a similarly valuable contribution. As a member of the Governance & Policy Sub-Committee, she has impacted real change that has been felt throughout the whole Rugby community.

“We are delighted to have Liz Broderick joining our team. As one of the most influential people in Australia, she brings strong credentials from previous roles, most recently as the Australian Sex Discrimination Commissioner from September 2007 to September 2015.”

ARU CEO Bill Pulver said: “With Liz Broderick and Ann Sherry, we now have two of Australia’s most influential women on our Board which bodes extremely well for the growth of women in Rugby.”

Mr Pulver is already engaged in the Elite Sport Male Champions of Change program, an initiative devised by Ms Broderick during her tenure as the Australian Sex Discrimination Commissioner.

Under the leadership of Cameron Clyne, the Board will oversee the delivery of Australian Rugby’s Strategic Plan which will be published in early 2016.

In conjunction with the election of Cameron Clyne as Chairman, Dr Brett Robinson was elected Deputy Chairman, effective 1 January 2016. Dr Robinson brings a unique set of skills to the Board being an orthopaedic surgeon, a former Wallaby, previously Head of the Australian Rugby High Performance Unit, and a successful businessman. The Board will continue to represent Australian Rugby internationally. Cameron Clyne will sit on the SANZAAR Board and Dr Brett Robinson, will sit on the World Rugby Council replacing outgoing Chairman Michael Hawker AM.

Cameron Clyne
– Managing Director and Group Chief Executive Officer at NAB (2009-2014).
– Joined NAB in 2004 following more than 12 years with PricewaterhouseCoopers, leading the Financial Services Industry practice in Asia Pacific.
– Selected as one of 245 people globally as a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum to address global challenges including health, education and the environment.
– Represented Victoria in Rugby against the All Blacks and Springboks.

Elizabeth Broderick
– Australian Sex Discrimination Commissioner in September (2007-2015): developed Male Champions of Change strategy, and advocated for parental leave and prevention of domestic violence.
– Special Advisor to the Executive Director of UN Women (New York).
– Global Co-Chair of Women’s Empowerment Principles Leadership Group, Member of Australian Defence Force Gender Equality Advisory Board and former Member of World Bank’s Advisory Council on Gender and Development.
– Overall winner of the 100 Women of Influence Awards in 2014 and NSW Australian of the Year for 2016.
– Three honorary doctorates of laws, from the University of Sydney, the University of Technology and the University of New South Wales.
– Previously a partner and board member at law firm Blake Dawson (now Ashurst).

Michael Hawker AM
– Former Wallaby with career spanning 25 Tests (1980-1984, 1987), whose midfield partnership with Mark Ella, and as vice-captain helped the Wallabies win the Bledisloe Cup in 1980. He was also a member of the UK Grand Slam tour in 1984.
– Served as an ARU Director from 2001-2003 and re-joined the ARU Board as Director in June 2009, becoming Chairman in 2012.
– Held executive level roles at a number of financial services companies including 7 years as Managing Director and CEO of Insurance Australia Group.
– Held roles as Chairman or Committee Member of a number of leading international businesses, industry associations and Government advisory boards.

Dr Brett Robinson
– Currently CEO of BOQ Specialist.
– Previously Managing Director and CEO of Icon Cancer Care, and CEO of Mondial Assistance.
– Played 16 Test matches for the Wallabies and was inaugural captain of the Brumbies in the Super 12 competition.
– General Manager of Australian Rugby Union’s High Performance Unit from 2002-2005.
– Doctorate at Oxford University (D.Phil, Orthopaedic Surgery).