SIMON Johnson, the RFL Chair, has today written to all member clubs and other members of the Rugby League Council to inform them of changes to the structure and composition of the RFL Board which follow on from the realignment of the sport’s governance which were unanimously endorsed last month.

Chris Brindley MBE, the Senior Independent Director of the RFL Board having been elected in December 2016, and Chris Hurst, who was elected in December 2018, have chosen to stand down with effect from the next Council meeting in July.

The RFL will now begin the process of appointing one new Independent Director to replace the two stepping down, with a view to proposing a nomination at July’s Council meeting. The new Director will be oriented towards a performance, playing, coaching or participation background.

Sandy Lindsay MBE will be the new Senior Independent Director of a six-strong Board, with Rimla Akhtar OBE, the Executive Directors Ralph Rimmer and Karen Moorhouse, the new appointee, and Simon Johnson continuing as Chair.

Chris Brindley will continue as Chair of Rugby League World Cup 2021, and continue to lead the RLWC Board through the delivery of the tournament this autumn, following its postponement last year.

Simon Johnson said: “Chris Brindley and Chris Hurst have each made the decision to stand down from the RFL Board this summer after making a huge contribution to the sport over recent years.

“Chris Hurst has been on the Board for four years. I am pleased that he will continue to contribute his expertise and insight into commercial and broadcast matters until the Summer meeting, as well as his strategic expertise, which was integral to the new RFL Strategy. He will continue to support the Strategic Working Group. He has been an effective Chair of the Championship and League One Forum and a significant contributor to the Board.

“Chris Brindley is our Senior Independent Director and Chair of the Remuneration Committee. His contributions to the Board are always rooted in his wide business experience and his leadership expertise. He has enhanced the RFL’s commitment to good governance. I am delighted that Chris will continue to apply his skills in chairing the RLWC2021 Board through the successful delivery of the tournament. This is a crucial role for the whole sport and Chris’s leadership is invaluable.

“As we said when the proposals for a realignment of the sport’s governance were so enthusiastically endorsed last month, we recognise the need for the RFL Board to reflect the new structure and its revised role – with all commercial activities moving to the new Joint Venture.

“This change will enable us to move forward with a smaller Board, and one which is constituted to meet the challenge of growing the sport as part of the new arrangements which were approved at the Special Council Meeting.”