WRU’s CEO Martyn Phillips announced as GlobalWelsh chairperson

Bridgend-born Martyn Phillips is no stranger to a challenge – and now the Welsh Rugby Union boss will put his negotiation and leadership skills to good use as the new chairperson of GlobalWelsh.

As a growing initiative which has significantly increased its support base, Martyn was appointed as the first group’s very first chair – a new role in which he will oversee the strategic development of the CIC.

“I want to see Wales strive to do better at promoting itself and I believe that supporting GlobalWelsh is crucial to our goal of enabling a wider engagement with our global audience.”

GlobalWelsh aims to leverage the expertise and talents of Welsh business and entrepreneurs living overseas in order to benefit Wales and the Welsh economy. Martyn and the board will lead the development of a new digital platform aiming to connect a million Welsh people, based on the notion that there up to three million ‘Welsh diaspora’ overseas.

Martyn said:

“With rugby being such an important part of Welsh national identity, we at the WRU feel we should support initiatives that complement the WRU’s growth ambitions and that go beyond rugby.

“I want to see Wales strive to do better at promoting itself and I believe that supporting GlobalWelsh is crucial to our goal of enabling a wider engagement with our global audience.”

Martyn brings a unique perspective and insight to the role and is keen to use his business and sporting connections to accelerate the GlobalWelsh mission. The Welsh Rugby Union is a founding patron of GlobalWelsh, along with Finance Wales (now known as the Development Bank of Wales), Philanthropist Bernard Jones and Admiral’s David Stephens.