RFL Board
Richard Lewis - Chairman
Richard joined the RFL in 2002, since when the organisation has grown to become widely acknowledged as one of the most efficient and professionally managed governing bodies in the country.
In the last eight years Richard has overseen the successful unification of a sport which enjoys record levels of sponsorship, spectators, television viewers and is played by more people than ever before.
As well as leading on television negotiations with broadcasters, Richard chairs the Rugby League Council, RFL Board, Engage Super League and Co-operative Championship club forums and the Rugby League
Community Board.
In 2009, Richard was appointed Chairman of Sport England, a role he successfully combines with his position at the RFL and his roles as Vice-Chairman of the Rugby League International Federation and Chairman of the Rugby League European Federation.
Prior to his career in Rugby League, Richard was a Davis Cup player and international tennis coach of Grand Slam champions who worked at the Lawn Tennis Association from 1988 to 2000. In 1996 Richard was Team Manager when Great Britain won a silver medal at the Atlanta Olympics.
Nigel Wood - Chief Executive
Appointed Chief Executive of the RFL in October 2007 after six years as Finance Director and Chief Operating Officer, Nigel has led the organisation's financial recovery which resulted in the incorporation in 2006 as well as consecutive years of profitable trading.
At international level, Nigel is a Director of Rugby League’s European Federation. In addition to this he serves as a trustee of the RFL Facilities Trust and the Rugby League National Museum, Heritage and Arts Foundation.
Before joining the RFL, Nigel was Chief Executive of Halifax RLFC during their time in Super League. He had previously enjoyed a long career playing and administrating in grass roots Rugby League.
Prior to this he worked as Deputy Head of Finance for BBC North.
Maurice Watkins - Non-Executive Director
As a senior partner at Brabner Chaffe Street, a successful law firm based in Manchester, Maurice is one of the most prominent lawyers in sport.
A Director of the world's biggest football club, Manchester United FC, he also holds a number of high-profile positions in football both at home and abroad.
He is a Director of the British Association for Sport and Law, a member of the FA Premier League Legal Advisory Group, Regional Chairman for Coutts Bank, Chairman of the Greyhound Board for Great Britain, and Chairman of Central Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust Charity.
Bob Stott - Non-Executive Director
Bob has extensive experience in the highly competitive supermarket industry including 20 years at Director level with Wm Morrison Supermarkets plc including a successful period as the organisation's Chief Executive.
Bob is currently a Non-Executive Director on the Boards of Leeds Building Society, the Greyhound Board for Great Britain and Frank Roberts & Sons Ltd.
Bob brings a wealth of experience to the RFL having enjoyed a track record of success and delivery in an organisation where cost control was of paramount importance. He also boasts strong commercial skills and significant experience on various Board committees, as well as being a keen follower of many sports.
Clare Morrow - Non-Executive Director
Clare is currently Chair of the tourism marketing agency Welcome to Yorkshire. She previously spent 15 years at ITV Yorkshire, where she was Controller of News and Regional Programmes. During her time at ITV, Clare also held the position of Head of Sport for a time and was responsible for Yorkshire Television’s Rugby League output for many years. This included the creation, development and production of the Rugby League Raw series of programmes which won several national Royal Television Society sports awards.
Clare is a non executive director of the Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust and Network Manager of the Broadcasting and Creative Industries Disability Network. She is also a trustee and school governor at Hollybank
School in Mirfield.