Super League and RFL boards appoint Nigel Wood as chair of RL Commercial amid strategic review update

Controversial figure Nigel Wood has been appointed as chairman of RL Commercial after being nominated by the boards of Super League and the RFL.

Wood returned to the RFL earlier this year, appointed to oversee a strategic review into the sport which looks set to continue.

Super League leaders Gary Hetherington and Derek Beaumont confirmed that in a statement and it’s now been confirmed that the boards of both Super League Europe and the RFL have nominated Wood to take on the role of Rugby League Commercial chairman.

Previous chairman Frank Slevin stepped down earlier this week after serving a three-year term and it’s now confirmed that Wood will replace him, following those nominations.

Hull KR’s Paul Lakin and St Helens’ Eamonn McManus are both directors on the board of Super League Europe with Peter Hutton another director. The RFL board was recently confirmed to have a shake-up as well with four executive and five non-executive members confirmed.

Tony Sutton (RFL’s Chief Executive), Rob Graham (RFL Director of Finance, Facilities and Central Services) and Martn Coyd (Chair of Wheelchair Rugby League) are the four executive board members whilst Lord Jonathan Caine (2021 RL World Cup Board Member), Joanna Coates (Board member of the FA Women’s National League), Abi Ekoku (Chair of RL Players Association), Dermot Power (consultant at FRP advisory) and Emma Rosewarne (former RFL Head of of Welfare) are the non-executive members.

Nigel Wood appointed to new role with key Super League men nominating him

Eamonn McManus and Paul Lakin will have been key in appointing Wood to this new role given their status as directors of Super League Europe.

An RFL statement confirmed the nomination process, stating: “Nigel Wood OBE has been appointed as the Chair of Rugby League Commercial, having been nominated by the Boards of Super League Europe and the Rugby Football League.

“He succeeds Frank Slevin, who stepped down earlier this week for personal reasons after serving his three-year term as RLC’s inaugural Chair.”

Wood paid tribute to Slevin before outlining his new role: “It was the clubs of all three divisions who made it clear that they were seeking change in how the centre could support their endeavours, initially with the move for a club-led strategic review.

“We have already made significant progress, both through the strategic review and in the reshaped Board of the Rugby Football League, and stakeholders have concluded there are obvious advantages in simplifying the central administration of the sport.

“I would like to thank everyone who has contributed so constructively and collaboratively so far. RL Commercial has delivered some impressive successes for the sport in recent months, with attendances and viewing figures heading in the right direction, and the exciting prospect of an Ashes series later this year – with two of the three Tests already sold out. I am convinced that Rugby League is on an upward trajectory.”

Nigel Wood OBE has been appointed as the Chair of Rugby League Commercial, having been nominated by the Boards of Super League Europe and the Rugby Football League.

— Rugby Football League (@TheRFL) June 27, 2025