World Rugby has announced the appointment of Charlotte Samuelson as the organisation’s new chief operating officer to lead the organisation’s corporate activities including finance, legal, technology, risk, and human resource departments.

Samuelson, who holds degrees in psychology, and in English and Philosophy, will join the wider World Rugby team in May with the goal of helping the organisation deliver its new strategic plan.

World Rugby CEO, Alan Gilpin, said: “We have recently undertaken a full review of the World Rugby organisation as we look to deliver global growth for rugby in a rapidly-evolving and highly-competitive sports market to ensure that we can effectively govern and lead the sport.”

“To do this, we need to have world-class people, technology, systems and processes in place.

“This new chief operating officer role reflects that need, and I am delighted that we are appointing Charlotte [Samuelson] to this pivotal role.

“Charlotte’s extensive and broad experience will enable us to continue to develop and invest in our people and these key areas, supporting the growth of rugby and the growth of World Rugby as a business that invests in the game globally and is even more purpose-driven in its approach,” Gilpin said.

Discussing her new role, Samuelson said she is excited to help lead the organisation through its current period of change and growth globally, currently supporting 128 national member unions and six regional associations.

“I am thrilled to have been appointed chief operating officer of World Rugby, a role which combines my passion for sport and two decades of cross-sector corporate experience,” Samuelson said.

“We have exciting times ahead at World Rugby and ensuring that we are operating with best-in-class corporate functions is integral to the successful delivery of our strategic plan.

“I can’t wait to get started,” she said.