RFU appoints Executive Director of Corporate Affairs
The Rugby Football Union has appointed Ali Donnelly as Executive Director of Corporate Affairs.
Ali will have a broad remit with responsibility for employee and game engagement, corporate and financial communications, public policy, government relations and public affairs, ESG and sustainability.
“Ali joins at a really important time for the organisation as it undergoes significant transformational change in both the professional and grassroots game, through digital investment and redevelopment of Allianz Stadium as well the growth of rugby for women and girls, capitalising on our home Rugby World Cup next year to drive awareness and participation," said Bill Sweeney, RFU CEO.
“She will draw on her extensive experience to communicate with the sport’s many and varied stakeholders on the need for change and she will be instrumental in setting a positive narrative for our sport. We really look forward to her joining us as a key member of the executive team in the early part of 2025.”
Ali joins the RFU with extensive experience in sport, communications and marketing, as well as deep knowledge of rugby. Currently at More than Equal, an organisation dedicated to developing the first female Formula 1 world champion, Ali has been CEO for two years. In this role, she has taken the startup, founded by the ex F1 driver David Coulthard, into full operation, building a dedicated team, developing high profile partnerships and getting a high-performance programme, training young female drivers, off the ground.
Prior to her current role she spent almost four years at Sport England where she was an Executive Director, looking after marketing, communications, digital and innovation. During this time, she led communications for some of the most high-profile moments in UK sport, including the publication of the Whyte Review, which explored abuse in British Gymnastics, while she also oversaw major campaigns including the award winning This Girl Can which encourages women and girls to be more active.
Prior to this she held senior communications roles for the UK Government, where her positions included Deputy Official Spokesperson and Head of News for Prime Minister Theresa May at Downing Street and Head of News at HM Treasury under Chancellors George Osborne and Philip Hammond. She has also held senior communications and marketing roles at Premiership Rugby club Wasps and the BBC.
She has been heavily involved in women's rugby in a variety of roles, including founding the award-winning website ScrumQueens and she has recently published the first book exploring the 100 year + history of the game. She is also the co-founder of Women of Union, which is dedicated to supporting and championing women working in rugby.
“Rugby plays a huge role in my day-to-day life, so to have an opportunity to work in the game at such a pivotal time is something I’m really excited about," she commented.
"There are challenges facing the sport right now, but I fully believe that there are also enormous opportunities to grow the game and cement its reputation as the one of the best and most exciting sports in the world.
"I’m looking forward to working with Bill and the wider team at the RFU to help continue to strengthen the game across England.”
