World Rugby Appoints Charlotte Samuelson as Chief Operating Officer

(12 Jan 2022)  World Rugby has appointed Charlotte Samuelson as Chief Operating Officer, effective May 2022.

Charlotte will have overarching responsibility for all of World Rugby’s corporate activities, including finance, legal, technology, risk and HR, and joins the World Rugby team in Dublin.

Ireland in action at Hong Kong Sevens 2019. Picture by Steven Howard of TravelNewsAsia.com

World Rugby Chief Executive Alan Gilpin, said, “I am delighted that we are appointing Charlotte 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.”

A qualified Auditor who also holds degrees in Psychology, English and Philosophy, Charlotte has previously served in senior roles at Close Brothers, Vanquis Bank, Barclays Bank and Grant Thornton, as well as consulting, internal audit and risk management roles at EY, BBC and the Breakthrough Breast Cancer charity.

Charlotte is also a lifelong rugby fan and has served as a non-executive board member of Surrey County Cricket Club.

“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. 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,” Charlotte said.