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Tierney stepped away from her role in August to undergo cancer treament before making a phased return to work last month
The Welsh Rugby Union has confirmed CEO Abi Tierney will make a permanent return to work in the new year having undergone treatment for cancer.
Tierney, who was appointed as the WRU’s first female CEO in 2023, announced in August that she had been diagnosed with cancer and would be stepping away from her role to undergo treatment.
She began a phased return to work last month, with chair Richard Collier-Keywood and the rest of the union’s Executive Leadership Team stepping in on an interim basis.
However, having received “a positive prognosis”, Tierney will now make a full return to take up her leadership position, with Collier-Keywood reverting back to his responsibilities as chair.
Confirming her return in a WRU statement, she said: “This is a pivotal time for the game in Wales and, whilst I’ve been constantly kept informed and am across all developments, I’m looking forward to being able to contribute directly again.
“My treatment is going well and I’ve received a positive prognosis which allows me to return in the new year.
“I’d like to thank everyone who has wished me well over my time away and sent positive messages of support. The Welsh rugby family has been incredibly supportive and I feel blessed to be a part of it.
“Of course, there are significant and major challenges presented to Welsh rugby at this time but there is also a huge opportunity for us to forge a way ahead in our professional game which will safeguard its future,” Tierney added.
“There is a lot more hard work ahead, but our strength in Welsh rugby is in our ability to unite and work together towards one collective aim and I am looking forward to contributing to this again.”
Collier-Keywood said Tierney’s return will add “new and positive impetus” as the Union moves forward with plans to reduce the number of professional sides in Wales from four to three.
“I know I speak on behalf of the whole game in Wales when I welcome Abi back into her role,” he said.
“We are making progress in our transformation programme for the professional game in Wales, but I know Abi’s return will add new and positive impetus at this pivotal time.”
Tierney was appointed as WRU CEO in August 2023, having previously been director general of the HM Passport Office and UK Visas and Immigration. She replaced Steve Phillips in the role, after he resigned in January that year after allegations of sexism at the WRU.
Prior to her time with the Civil Service, Tierney held roles at Serco and IBM, while she was also a director at University Hospitals of Leicester and Aberdeen City Council. Her father played rugby for Glamorgan Wanderers and Barry.
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