Will Chignell, the RFU's new Head of Media

The Rugby Football Union (RFU) has announced Will Chignellas its new Head of Media, following the recent announcements of a new Chief Operating Officer and two other significant rugby leadership roles. The new appointments, all chosen through a rigorous and extensive selection process, are part of a new leadership team at the RFU which will take the organisation through to the Rugby World Cup (RWC) in 2015 and beyond.

Chignell joins the RFU on 4th July from Sky Sports where he has spent 16 years as a rugby reporter and commentator, broadcasting on over 200 games of live rugby. Chignell has been deeply involved in rugby during his time and Sky and is a regular live commentator on Heineken Cup, Aviva Premiership, LV= Cup and international matches as well producing a series of live reports on rugby news and features.

He will lead the RFU’s media operations across the board to ensure the organisation has a clear media strategy which is closely aligned with its business strategy. This will include media responsibility for all parts of the RFU including the senior England team and age grade sides but extending beyond that to cover all commercial activities and the grassroots game, further enhancing the organisation’s media profile across all broadcast and print channels.

John Steele, CEO of the RFU, commented, “When you are looking at your media operations you need to know you have someone who deeply understands the way the media operates but also has the ability to connect that to the way our organisation works. With over 15 years as a broadcaster Will more than fulfils that first criteria and through the selection process he clearly demonstrated to us that he had a deep understanding of the RFU and its challenges also. We are adding a hugely experienced media expert to our already strong media team and we are delighted to welcome Will to the RFU.”

Will Chignell added, “I have been lucky enough to work for a quite outstanding company in Sky for 16 years amongst a fantastic group of people in a culture of innovation and a ‘can do’ attitude and for that I shall always be grateful. This though, is a once in a lifetime challenge which I am incredibly excited about. As rugby continues to grow, with the 2015 Rugby World Cup on the horizon, the media are crucial stakeholders in helping the sport develop further. I am looking forward to working with all parties to achieve this.”

Will joined Sky straight from university and during his time there has also built his sporting contacts beyond rugby and enjoys significant senior visibility in the Olympic environment. He is also an author and significant fundraiser for major charitable initiatives including SPARKS and the Rainbow Trust and most significantly his own charity with raises funds for disadvantaged children in Zambia. Will lives in Hampshire with his wife and two children and is an occasional marathon runner.