THE Rugby Football Union’s acting chief executive Martyn Thomas is to leave his post on December 16, the governing body have confirmed following a board meeting at Twickenham.
The 67-year-old’s position has come under increasing scrutiny in recent months in the wake of the firing of former chief executive John Steele in June following a botched attempt to recruit a performance director.
Stephen Brown, the union’s chief financial officer, will take over from Thomas as acting chief executive next month until a full-time appointment is made.
An RFU statement read: “Martyn Thomas has decided to leave his post as RFU acting chief executive officer (CEO) on December 16, 2011 following the end of his contract.
“RFU chief financial officer Stephen Brown, in addition to continuing to fulfil his current responsibilities, will become RFU acting CEO on December 16, 2011 until the start date of a new permanent CEO.”
Thomas will also lose his post as the chairman of Rugby World Cup 2015, which England will host.
A further consequence will be that the Thomas-commissioned Cotton Review, which was to be led by former Lions prop Fran Cotton to look into England’s poor recent World Cup performance, will not take place.
Instead the RFU will hold an independent review once the Professional Game Board, which represents senior clubs and players, completes its own assessment.
