'Vibrant promotion/relegation system' on new Tier 2 Chair's agenda

Hugely experienced administrator Simon Gillham OBE has been appointed as Chair of the newly established Tier 2 Board, taking up his role with immediate effect.

Gillham 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, and has seen at first hand the success of second-tier rugby in France, which has a regular TV slot and crowd figures that dwarf those of its equivalent in England, the Championship, which is undergoing a facelift for the 2025/26 season.

During his time at Brive, 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, Gillham stepped down from his role as President of Brive and is currently Vice President.

Gillham, who works for communications giant Vivendi, 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.

Commenting on his appointment, 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.”

Having been a board member of the company who owns sports TV powerhouse Canal Plus, Gillham’s appointment will likely increase the chances of the Championship securing a broadcast partner.

Conor O’Shea is delighted that someone of his calibre will now be a figurehead for a league that has lost its place in the English rugby structure.

O’Shea 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.”