Ospreys Rugby and Geraint Hawkes, Chairman of Neath RFC, are pleased to announce the appointment of Chris Richards to the Board of Directors, as the second of Neath’s two nominee Directors.
Welcoming the announcement, Roger Blyth, Chairman of Ospreys Rugby, and Geraint Hawkes jointly acknowledged that the appointment provides further evidence of the improving relations between Ospreys Rugby and Neath, one of the region’s original founder clubs.
Chris Richards graduated with a BSc in Physics from Southampton University in 1979. He qualified as a Chartered Accountant with Price Waterhouse Coopers during the early 80s, and went on to become a senior manager in their Cardiff office.
After working as a Personal Advisor to the Chairman of the Welsh Development Agency, Chris joined the newly privatized Welsh Water Group, subsequently being appointed to the Executive Board of the renamed Hyder Group and also becoming Managing Director of its renewable energy business.
In 2002, he was a founder member and Director of the newly reformed renewable energy development company Eco2 Ltd, based in Cardiff, later becoming Chairman.
Among a number of other projects, Chris currently spends some of his time acting as an advisor to student groups and senior management at Southampton University, assisting on a range of social enterprise projects.
A keen sportsman in his youth, Chris captained Swansea Harriers and won international honours for both Wales and Great Britain in athletics, as well as being captain for Ffynone Cricket Club in the South Wales League and playing rugby.
These days, sharing time his time between homes in South Wales and Somerset with wife Karen and daughter Katie, he remains a keen sport enthusiast, with a particular interest in rugby and the Ospreys.
Geraint Hawkes added: “Significant strides have been made to rebuild relationships over the last months since I have taken up the role of Neath Club Chairman again. I feel that Chris’ appointment is an extremely positive one as we will finally have true representation on the Ospreys Board. There is now genuine appetite from both parties and likeminded individuals to work together to safeguard and progress both regional and club rugby within our community. Neath rugby has always been proud of the contribution it has made to the game and I am sure it won’t be long before the player conveyor belt from the Gnoll to the Liberty Stadium starts up again in earnest. At long last, it is clear the right people are now talking constructively to each other.”