Simon Gillham OBE appointed Chair of Tier 2 Board
Simon Gillham has been appointed Chair of the newly established Tier 2 Board, taking up his role with immediate effect.
Comprising senior representatives from both the RFU and the Tier 2 clubs, this new Board is the body responsible for driving the growth of the second tier of the men’s game in England, working in partnership to ensure the optimal running and commercialisation of the league.
As part of the transformation of the men’s professional game the RFU, Championship Club Committee and Premiership Rugby have been working to develop a reimagined Tier 2. The objective is to create a second tier that supports the English system by developing young English talent, whilst supporting the clubs to become financially sustainable by growing local audiences and increasing the value in the league.
Simon has spent over 20 years in French professional rugby, while involved with CA Brive, becoming the first non-French President in the Top 14 and Pro D2. During his time at the club, he has been a shareholder, administrator and President and he has sat on various committees and working groups for professional European rugby. In June 2024, Simon stepped down from his role as President of Brive and is currently Vice President.
Alongside, a career spent in professional rugby, Simon has worked in global corporations. He was previously on the Vivendi Management Board, Chairman of Vivendi Village and EVP of Communications for Vivendi. In these roles he oversaw the activities of Vivendi Ticketing (See Tickets), Olympia Production and U-Live (production of shows, festivals and concerts), as well as the legendary Paris theatre, l’Olympia.
He has also been involved in many sponsorship deals including Vivendi with the Rugby World Cup 2023 and with major international brands for Brive. Simon has also been involved in all the Canal+ and LNR TV agreements for the last 15 years.
Commenting on this appointment Simon Gillham stated: "I am delighted to have been appointed as Chair of the Tier 2 Board. During discussions and observations of recent weeks I have been very impressed by the standards of Championship Rugby both on and off the rugby field. We must now build on the existing positives and work with the RFU, Premiership Rugby, the RPA and all the English rugby clubs to raise the standards further. This will involve talent and infrastructure development, strict financial discipline, a vibrant promotion/relegation system and raised visibility through media and sponsorship agreements. I can't wait to get going.”
Conor O’Shea, RFU Executive Director of Performance Rugby and Tier 2 Board member said: “We’re really pleased that Simon will be Chairing the Tier 2 Board and helping to drive our plans for developing English rugby’s second tier. His commercial experience as well as that from his involvement in French rugby, particularly in Pro D2, widely considered one of the most successful second tier leagues globally, will be invaluable.”
Nick Johnston, Coventry Rugby CEO, and Tier 2 Board member said: “Simon will bring huge value to the Board and the league more widely: we’re delighted by his appointment. Over the course of his 20-year involvement in French rugby he has seen Pro D2 develop substantially and has first-hand experience of the keys to that success will be of huge benefit to us. We look forward to him joining us as we gear up to a launch of the league for the 2025-26 season.”
Simon is joined on the Board by RFU Executive Director of Performance Rugby, Conor O’Shea, RFU Commercial Director, Stuart Ramsey, RFU Council Member, Terry Burwell, Coventry Rugby CEO, Nick Johnston, former Nottingham CEO, Simon Beatham, and Simon Cohen, former Leicester Tigers CEO and current Championship representative on RFU Council.
