Bill Sweeney gets his bonus
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- Which Tyler
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Re: Bill Sweeney gets his bonus
England rugby fans "RFU is run by amateurs old-boys in blazers, 57 old farts and all that - we must fire them and hire people who know how the corporate world works"
Also England rugby fans "RFU is run by corporate suits who mostly hit their assigned targets - we must fire them and hire people with passion for the sport"
Also England rugby fans "RFU is run by corporate suits who mostly hit their assigned targets - we must fire them and hire people with passion for the sport"
Last edited by Which Tyler on Thu Dec 19, 2024 1:07 pm, edited 1 time in total.
- Oakboy
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Re: Bill Sweeney gets his bonus
Calls for a SGM and the sacking of Sweeney and Co are understandable, I suppose, but I'd be most critical of those who sanctioned the appointnents linked to how bonuses would be paid - presumably RFU board members? Blaming an employee for earning a bonus seems odd - as against blaming those who sanctioned it.
I'm all for a root and branch enquiry but it must cover the whole decision-making structure at the top of the RFU.
I'm all for a root and branch enquiry but it must cover the whole decision-making structure at the top of the RFU.
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Re: Bill Sweeney gets his bonus
aye, its very much a set of outdated prejudices.Which Tyler wrote: ↑Thu Dec 19, 2024 8:22 am England rugby fans "RFU is run by amateurs old-boys in blazers, 57 old farts and all that - we must fire them and hire professionals"
Also England rugby fans "RFU is run by professional CEOs who mostly hit their assigned targets, but don't have a background in rugby - we must fire them and hire amateurs"
That said- and to Dors comments- there does need to be a surgical enquiry into how/why the LTIPs were set, how/who they were then given to, and how they assessed the performance....and what moderation/governance was in place (there needs to be checks and balances at the end about affordability say). BUT the LTIPS were set up with RFU Council approval under a previous chair- so Ilube has inherited this in fairness- I would say though, that he's been a little asleep at the wheel in not putting the checks and balances in for the end of the cycle.
Personally, I think the smoking gun is really how many RFU senior managers were 'added' to the LTIP scheme, which is why the truly independent review that was agreed yesterday should provide ammunition if there is any; to me all the motions of no confidence and SGM calls are really noise. The action should be around failed governance here, rather than pitchfork march on Sweeney, Ilube and Udwin. I don't have any time for Udwin, nor Ilube tbh, and Sweeney seems to have tin ears....but find the right 'target' if you want change.
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- Oakboy
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Re: Bill Sweeney gets his bonus
Unlike you, I have no knowledge of the inner workings. My simple mind sees two factors for concern: first, big money being paid to a few individuals when purse-strings are tight enough to require redundancies; second, no indication of the whole set-up being well run despite the big payouts.
Heart over head, I understand guys who volunteer to paint the club-house (having paid match fees to play for 15 years) believing that financial reality is a bit twisted.
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Re: Bill Sweeney gets his bonus
1- agreed on the money, see governance above. It’s not just ‘optics’ tbhOakboy wrote: ↑Thu Dec 19, 2024 12:57 pmUnlike you, I have no knowledge of the inner workings. My simple mind sees two factors for concern: first, big money being paid to a few individuals when purse-strings are tight enough to require redundancies; second, no indication of the whole set-up being well run despite the big payouts.
Heart over head, I understand guys who volunteer to paint the club-house (having paid match fees to play for 15 years) believing that financial reality is a bit twisted.
2- absolutely, as someone who has been a member of current club for 42 years, paying playing subs on top for
18 years, coaching for nada for 6 years and now doing about 35 hours a week plus matchdays as a volunteer, it’s a bit mad. 1st world problem as I’m lucky enough to be retired, but even so…
- Mellsblue
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Re: Bill Sweeney gets his bonus
Dear Members,
Yesterday evening, RFU Council Members, including the Council Elected Directors, met to discuss concerns within the game that have been raised since the Annual Report and Accounts were published.
Listening to concerns about a long-term incentive plan (LTIP) for the executive team, and with Council’s agreement, I have commissioned an independent review of the scheme. The review will be undertaken by independent law firm, Freshfields, to consider the provenance, design, implementation, and communication of the plan.
Council recognises the reputational damage that has been done to the sport over the past month and is committed to rebuilding trust with our members. Council has called for a radical change in the way that the RFU communicates, setting out clearly all the work that is being done to address the issues that clubs have raised about the challenges in the game. Council also recognises the importance of visible and proactive leadership and I have met with the Chair and Chief Executive to agree a way forward.
The role of the RFU Council is to unite the game, support good governance structures and hold the Board to account on behalf of its members; the review is demonstrating that in action.
The RFU understands there is concern in the game more broadly. Our sport has faced challenges in recent years, but I want to reassure you that while the Union continues to address these, community game player numbers have stabilised close to pre-covid levels with improving match completion rates.
There has been an increase in age grade player registrations and our Community Game Future Project has now planned our first multiyear community game investment of £30m a year against a prioritised roadmap with specific plans targeted at growing the game.
We recognise good Governance is critical and an independently led Governance & Representation Review is underway and will report back to the RFU Board and Council in 2025.
I would like to wish you a very Happy Christmas and best wishes for 2025.
Rob Udwin
RFU President
Yesterday evening, RFU Council Members, including the Council Elected Directors, met to discuss concerns within the game that have been raised since the Annual Report and Accounts were published.
Listening to concerns about a long-term incentive plan (LTIP) for the executive team, and with Council’s agreement, I have commissioned an independent review of the scheme. The review will be undertaken by independent law firm, Freshfields, to consider the provenance, design, implementation, and communication of the plan.
Council recognises the reputational damage that has been done to the sport over the past month and is committed to rebuilding trust with our members. Council has called for a radical change in the way that the RFU communicates, setting out clearly all the work that is being done to address the issues that clubs have raised about the challenges in the game. Council also recognises the importance of visible and proactive leadership and I have met with the Chair and Chief Executive to agree a way forward.
The role of the RFU Council is to unite the game, support good governance structures and hold the Board to account on behalf of its members; the review is demonstrating that in action.
The RFU understands there is concern in the game more broadly. Our sport has faced challenges in recent years, but I want to reassure you that while the Union continues to address these, community game player numbers have stabilised close to pre-covid levels with improving match completion rates.
There has been an increase in age grade player registrations and our Community Game Future Project has now planned our first multiyear community game investment of £30m a year against a prioritised roadmap with specific plans targeted at growing the game.
We recognise good Governance is critical and an independently led Governance & Representation Review is underway and will report back to the RFU Board and Council in 2025.
I would like to wish you a very Happy Christmas and best wishes for 2025.
Rob Udwin
RFU President
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Re: Bill Sweeney gets his bonus
He'd already said he was going to do the review, but they've forced him to go independent. As above, the G and R review was underway before.Mellsblue wrote: ↑Thu Dec 19, 2024 1:55 pm Dear Members,
Yesterday evening, RFU Council Members, including the Council Elected Directors, met to discuss concerns within the game that have been raised since the Annual Report and Accounts were published.
Listening to concerns about a long-term incentive plan (LTIP) for the executive team, and with Council’s agreement, I have commissioned an independent review of the scheme. The review will be undertaken by independent law firm, Freshfields, to consider the provenance, design, implementation, and communication of the plan.
Council recognises the reputational damage that has been done to the sport over the past month and is committed to rebuilding trust with our members. Council has called for a radical change in the way that the RFU communicates, setting out clearly all the work that is being done to address the issues that clubs have raised about the challenges in the game. Council also recognises the importance of visible and proactive leadership and I have met with the Chair and Chief Executive to agree a way forward.
The role of the RFU Council is to unite the game, support good governance structures and hold the Board to account on behalf of its members; the review is demonstrating that in action.
The RFU understands there is concern in the game more broadly. Our sport has faced challenges in recent years, but I want to reassure you that while the Union continues to address these, community game player numbers have stabilised close to pre-covid levels with improving match completion rates.
There has been an increase in age grade player registrations and our Community Game Future Project has now planned our first multiyear community game investment of £30m a year against a prioritised roadmap with specific plans targeted at growing the game.
We recognise good Governance is critical and an independently led Governance & Representation Review is underway and will report back to the RFU Board and Council in 2025.
I would like to wish you a very Happy Christmas and best wishes for 2025.
Rob Udwin
RFU President
- Stom
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Re: Bill Sweeney gets his bonus
As someone who is an outsider (not been a member of a club for 25 years), I really don’t like that email. It does not accept responsibility in the slightest.Banquo wrote: ↑Thu Dec 19, 2024 3:23 pmHe'd already said he was going to do the review, but they've forced him to go independent. As above, the G and R review was underway before.Mellsblue wrote: ↑Thu Dec 19, 2024 1:55 pm Dear Members,
Yesterday evening, RFU Council Members, including the Council Elected Directors, met to discuss concerns within the game that have been raised since the Annual Report and Accounts were published.
Listening to concerns about a long-term incentive plan (LTIP) for the executive team, and with Council’s agreement, I have commissioned an independent review of the scheme. The review will be undertaken by independent law firm, Freshfields, to consider the provenance, design, implementation, and communication of the plan.
Council recognises the reputational damage that has been done to the sport over the past month and is committed to rebuilding trust with our members. Council has called for a radical change in the way that the RFU communicates, setting out clearly all the work that is being done to address the issues that clubs have raised about the challenges in the game. Council also recognises the importance of visible and proactive leadership and I have met with the Chair and Chief Executive to agree a way forward.
The role of the RFU Council is to unite the game, support good governance structures and hold the Board to account on behalf of its members; the review is demonstrating that in action.
The RFU understands there is concern in the game more broadly. Our sport has faced challenges in recent years, but I want to reassure you that while the Union continues to address these, community game player numbers have stabilised close to pre-covid levels with improving match completion rates.
There has been an increase in age grade player registrations and our Community Game Future Project has now planned our first multiyear community game investment of £30m a year against a prioritised roadmap with specific plans targeted at growing the game.
We recognise good Governance is critical and an independently led Governance & Representation Review is underway and will report back to the RFU Board and Council in 2025.
I would like to wish you a very Happy Christmas and best wishes for 2025.
Rob Udwin
RFU President
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Re: Bill Sweeney gets his bonus
Correct, slopy shoulders Mr Udwin.Stom wrote: ↑Thu Dec 19, 2024 4:15 pmAs someone who is an outsider (not been a member of a club for 25 years), I really don’t like that email. It does not accept responsibility in the slightest.Banquo wrote: ↑Thu Dec 19, 2024 3:23 pmHe'd already said he was going to do the review, but they've forced him to go independent. As above, the G and R review was underway before.Mellsblue wrote: ↑Thu Dec 19, 2024 1:55 pm Dear Members,
Yesterday evening, RFU Council Members, including the Council Elected Directors, met to discuss concerns within the game that have been raised since the Annual Report and Accounts were published.
Listening to concerns about a long-term incentive plan (LTIP) for the executive team, and with Council’s agreement, I have commissioned an independent review of the scheme. The review will be undertaken by independent law firm, Freshfields, to consider the provenance, design, implementation, and communication of the plan.
Council recognises the reputational damage that has been done to the sport over the past month and is committed to rebuilding trust with our members. Council has called for a radical change in the way that the RFU communicates, setting out clearly all the work that is being done to address the issues that clubs have raised about the challenges in the game. Council also recognises the importance of visible and proactive leadership and I have met with the Chair and Chief Executive to agree a way forward.
The role of the RFU Council is to unite the game, support good governance structures and hold the Board to account on behalf of its members; the review is demonstrating that in action.
The RFU understands there is concern in the game more broadly. Our sport has faced challenges in recent years, but I want to reassure you that while the Union continues to address these, community game player numbers have stabilised close to pre-covid levels with improving match completion rates.
There has been an increase in age grade player registrations and our Community Game Future Project has now planned our first multiyear community game investment of £30m a year against a prioritised roadmap with specific plans targeted at growing the game.
We recognise good Governance is critical and an independently led Governance & Representation Review is underway and will report back to the RFU Board and Council in 2025.
I would like to wish you a very Happy Christmas and best wishes for 2025.
Rob Udwin
RFU President
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Re: Bill Sweeney gets his bonus
Ilube has stepped down I believe
- Mellsblue
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Re: Bill Sweeney gets his bonus
The dildo of consequences rarely arrives Ilubed.
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Re: Bill Sweeney gets his bonus
"The review will be undertaken by independent law firm, Freshfields"
Well, that takes care of another couple of £million...
Well, that takes care of another couple of £million...
- Puja
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Re: Bill Sweeney gets his bonus
You're very much not wrong.loudnconfident wrote: ↑Thu Dec 19, 2024 7:29 pm "The review will be undertaken by independent law firm, Freshfields"
Well, that takes care of another couple of £million...
Puja
Backist Monk
- Which Tyler
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Re: Bill Sweeney gets his bonus
Agreed, it's just so much side-stepping word-salad.
Definitely. The product of a professional corporate suit
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Re: Bill Sweeney gets his bonus
Well it’s from the President, who isnt a corporate suit, that’s the retro part of it. The RFU comms director ain’t great, has received bonus, and is leaving.Which Tyler wrote: ↑Thu Dec 19, 2024 9:08 pmAgreed, it's just so much side-stepping word-salad.
Definitely. The product of a professional corporate suit
It’s more council speak than slick corp speak frankly.
- jngf
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Re: Bill Sweeney gets his bonus
Udwin forgot to add “after an enjoyable stint with the RFU I’ve decided to spend more time with my golf course”Mellsblue wrote: ↑Thu Dec 19, 2024 1:55 pm Dear Members,
Yesterday evening, RFU Council Members, including the Council Elected Directors, met to discuss concerns within the game that have been raised since the Annual Report and Accounts were published.
Listening to concerns about a long-term incentive plan (LTIP) for the executive team, and with Council’s agreement, I have commissioned an independent review of the scheme. The review will be undertaken by independent law firm, Freshfields, to consider the provenance, design, implementation, and communication of the plan.
Council recognises the reputational damage that has been done to the sport over the past month and is committed to rebuilding trust with our members. Council has called for a radical change in the way that the RFU communicates, setting out clearly all the work that is being done to address the issues that clubs have raised about the challenges in the game. Council also recognises the importance of visible and proactive leadership and I have met with the Chair and Chief Executive to agree a way forward.
The role of the RFU Council is to unite the game, support good governance structures and hold the Board to account on behalf of its members; the review is demonstrating that in action.
The RFU understands there is concern in the game more broadly. Our sport has faced challenges in recent years, but I want to reassure you that while the Union continues to address these, community game player numbers have stabilised close to pre-covid levels with improving match completion rates.
There has been an increase in age grade player registrations and our Community Game Future Project has now planned our first multiyear community game investment of £30m a year against a prioritised roadmap with specific plans targeted at growing the game.
We recognise good Governance is critical and an independently led Governance & Representation Review is underway and will report back to the RFU Board and Council in 2025.
I would like to wish you a very Happy Christmas and best wishes for 2025.
Rob Udwin
RFU President
- jngf
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Re: Bill Sweeney gets his bonus
See above, think it’s a done deal. Pretty sure Ilube is gone
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- jngf
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Re: Bill Sweeney gets his bonus
£180k a year for a non-exec FFS ! RFU appear to have been P*****g money against the wall like a bogus Bank of England Economist
Last edited by jngf on Fri Dec 20, 2024 1:04 pm, edited 4 times in total.
- jngf
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Re: Bill Sweeney gets his bonus
For the financial geeks amongst us ( admittedly including yours truly ) most recent RFU accounts available here: https://mutuals.fca.org.uk/Search/Society/28339
- jngf
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Re: Bill Sweeney gets his bonus
England men’s team purported to be unhappy with these crooks (the last adjective mine rather than theirs
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Re: Bill Sweeney gets his bonus
To go straight to the report about the year in question...https://rfu.widen.net/s/g5mhlxtpmg/annu ... rt-2023-24
This was published nearly a month ago
This was published nearly a month ago