International Rugby Board has announced

Dublin, Apr 28, 2014: Rugby World Cup Limited (RWCL), the wholly owned subsidiary of the International Rugby Board, has announced the appointment of Australian Rugby Union Chairman Michael Hawker AM as a Director of the Rugby World Cup Board.
Hawker’s appointment follows unanimous approval by the IRB Executive Committee.

He joins IRB Chairman Bernard Lapasset, IRB Vice-Chairman Oregan Hoskins, WRU Chairman David Pickering and IRB Chief Executive Brett Gosper on the Board, which is responsible for all Rugby World Cup properties.

A member of the IRB Council and Executive Committee and a former Australia international, Hawker brings to the Board a wealth of knowledge and experience gained over a long and successful career in the banking and insurance industries, in both executive and non-executive roles in Europe, Asia and Australia with Aviva plc and the Macquarie Group Ltd.

Lapasset said: “I am delighted to be welcoming Michael Hawker to the Rugby World Cup Board. With a strong blend of major business and Rugby administration experience, Michael is perfectly suited to our mission to further strengthen Rugby World Cup as one of the great sporting brands and drive Rugby’s growth around the world.”

“Michael joins the Board at an exciting time for Rugby World Cup with preparations on track to deliver an exceptional 2015 tournament in England and the solid foundations in place for the first Rugby World Cup in Asia when Japan hosts the 2019 tournament.”

Hawker, who also sits on the IRB Executive Committee and the IRB’s Audit and Risk Committee, will serve as a Director until at least the end of the current Board mandate in 2016.

Hawker said: “I am delighted and honoured to be joining the Rugby World Cup Board at such an exciting time for the sport and for Rugby World Cup. Working within a strong and visionary Rugby World Cup Board, I look forward to playing a full role in furthering the Rugby World Cup brand within the global sporting marketplace.”

Hawker replaces John O’Neill on the Board after the Australian stepped down from his position earlier this year. Michael Hawker won 25 caps for Australia during an international Rugby career between 1980 and 1987.

He is currently Chairman and Non-Executive Director of the Australian Rugby Union and SANZAR Pty Limited and is a member of the International Rugby Board Council and Executive Committee.

Michael is also a Non-Executive Director of Aviva Plc, Macquarie Group Ltd (banking) and Washington H Soul Pattinson and Company Ltd (investment) and Chairman of The George Institute for Global Health (research institution).

He was formerly Chief Executive and Managing Director of Insurance Australia Group, Group Chief Executive of business and consumer banking at Westpac Banking Corporation and Chairman of the Insurance Council of Australia. —- IRB