Steve Phillips has resigned as the chief executive officer of the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) amid allegations of a toxic culture at the organisation.
Phillips had resisted calls for his resignation, which came after a BBC documentary aired allegations of misogyny, sexism, racism and homophobia at the governing body for rugby union in Wales.
Nigel Walker has moved up from the union’s performance director to take the acting CEO position with immediate effect. Walker, a former Wales wing and Olympic hurdler, has warned of an “existential crisis” for Welsh rugby.
A number of former WRU employees took part in the investigation by BBC Wales – which was screened on Monday night – with accusations about their time at the organisation.
Charlotte Wathan, the general manager of women’s rugby until her resignation last February, spoke of how a male colleague said in front of others in an office that he wanted to “rape” her. Another unnamed contributor said she had contemplated ending her life after her experiences of bullying and sexism at work.
The WRU chair, Ieuan Evans, has vowed that an external taskforce will be established to help tackle the allegations that have been made. The former Wales wing, who took over from Rob Butcher in November 2022, said: “For the moment I need to lead this governance change and work hand in hand with Nigel Walker.
“We have already started the process with Welsh Government and Sport Wales in establishing an independent taskforce,” Evans added. “It’s now for me as chair of the board and chair of the WRU to go out to the clubs and drive those changes. One[change] is to find an independent chair, my true belief is that this organisation needs that.”
On Friday, the Welsh Rugby Players Association sent an open letter to Evans demanding “the WRU and its leadership truly takes responsibility for living up to the inclusive values that rugby claims to pride itself on”.
Phillips attended the meeting about the new taskforce, but had since decided to step down. In an official WRU statement, he added: “It is with a huge amount of regret that I have decided to hand in my resignation.”
“I have always had the best interests of Welsh rugby at the heart of my every action and thought, but have come to the conclusion that it is now time for someone else to lead the way,” Phillips added.
“I am absolutely aligned with Ieuan’s commitment to re-examine and further improve the cultures and behaviours at the WRU, and fully support the formation of a new independent taskforce. I am pleased I have been able to start this process.
“I wish Nigel Walker well and thank all of the dedicated staff at the WRU, who can be extremely proud of the efforts and hard work they put in on a daily basis to the betterment of our game. I am on record already saying how much I hugely regret the feelings and emotions expressed recently by former members of staff.”
Walker, who was appointed performance director of the WRU in 2021, said: “This has been a wake-up call. Perhaps it is a call that has been overdue. The first step to any recovery is admitting the problem … there is no doubt that Welsh rugby is facing an existential crisis.
“We must now listen intently to what people from outside our organisation are telling us,” the 59-year-old added. “We care and are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and we work hard in this space with dedicated resource and investment. But we need to do better. We need to do much better and we will.”
Plaid Cymru’s sports, culture and international spokesperson, Heledd Fychan, said: “Steve Phillips’ position was untenable, and I welcome today’s news that he has stepped aside. It is the right action to take after the abject failure of the WRU to date to deal with very serious allegations of misogyny and sexism that were seemingly known to him and others.”
“Nigel Walker’s appointment as acting CEO must signal the beginning and not the end of the significant structural and cultural changes needed at the WRU,” Fychan added. “The Welsh government should now consider whether it is appropriate for the WRU to receive any further public money until these changes are made.”