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Sir James Wates CBE has been appointed chair of the Rugby Football Union (RFU) board.
He takes over the role from Sir Bill Beaumont, who was named chair on an interim basis in December last year following the resignation of Tom Ilube.
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Wates is currently a board director of the Wates Group, a privately-owned construction, development and property service company in the UK and served as chairman between 2013 and 2023.
A statement from the RFU said: “Sir James has had a distinguished career in the construction and business sectors, marked by significant leadership roles and contributions to industry standards and charitable causes.
“He brings extensive leadership experience to the RFU alongside a deep love of the game of rugby, stretching back to his early playing days.”
Speaking about his new role, Wates said: “It is a true honour to be named chair of the board of the RFU, and I can’t wait to get started.
“English Rugby is steeped in legacy and history, and it is a history that the country should be proud of, while also being excited about what is to come.
“Later this year, we have the Women’s Rugby World Cup hosted across England and I am looking forward to this happening so soon into my tenure.
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“I will do my upmost to maximise the growth of the game, with the support of the RFU board and wider team in the years ahead and engaging as much as possible in the rugby community at all levels across England.”
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