Tom Ilube steps down as RFU chairman over executive pay controversy
Tom Ilube has stepped down as the chairman of the Rugby Football Union due to the executive pay and bonus scandal that has engulfed the game.
Ilube, who took up the role in 2021, admitted in a brief statement that “recent events have become a distraction from the game” amid the fury at all levels over the game after it emerged the chief executive Bill Sweeney was paid £1.1m, including a £358,000 long-term incentive plan bonus while five other executive directors shared a bonus of close to £1m amid 42 redundancies and the RFU’s record loss to reserves.
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Bill Beaumont, who held the role from 2012 to 2016 and in November stepped down as World Rugby chairman,
on a temporary basis given he would be considered a safe pair of hands.Ilube said: “I have decided to step down from my role as chair of the RFU as recent events have become a distraction from the game, but will stay on to ensure a smooth transition to a new Chair as soon as one is in place. I’m pleased that an independent review of the [long-term incentive plan] scheme has been commissioned and look forward to its findings once completed. It has been an honour to Chair the RFU, and I look forward to once again enjoying the game that I grew up with from the touchline and watching it grow.”
The net was closing in on Ilube with a grass-roots rebellion on the brink of calling for a special general meeting and tabling various motions including the dismissals of Ilube and Sweeney. The rebels, led by the Rugby Football Referees’ Union and the Championship clubs, had comfortably reached the required numbers to trigger the SGM.
The writing was on the wall for Ilube after an emergency council meeting on Wednesday, after which an immediate independent review into the salaries and bonuses was commissioned. The RFU finally acknowledged that “reputational damage done to the sport” and recognised “the importance of visible and proactive leadership”.
While Ilube was facing the prospect of an SGM, no later than the end of February, it is also understood that the council had triggered a formal emergency council meeting for 10 January which would have allowed for a vote of no confidence in the chairman and enforced his departure in the coming weeks. RFU insiders had claimed that the commissioning of the review might stave off the council’s attempts to overthrow Ilube but it was significant that Udwin called Ilube and Sweeney for talks on Thursday to “discuss a way forward”.
Beaumont’s appointment would provide someone with experience but given the level of anger across the game, it remains to be seen if it would avoid an SGM.