Premiership Women's Rugby appoints Genevieve Shore as Executive Chair

Premiership Women's Rugby is pleased to announce the appointment of Genevieve Shore as the new Executive Chair of the organisation, effective immediately.

With more than two decades of leadership experience leading teams, growing businesses and advocating for women’s sport, Shore will drive the continued growth and success of PWR and the future of women’s rugby in England.

Since winning the Rugby World Cup with England in 1994, Shore has carved out an impressive career in business, known for her leadership and innovation in the publishing, education, tech and financial services sectors. She has successfully led startups and multinational organisations and is recognised for her strategic vision, fostering diverse teams, and championing women in leadership roles.

Shore’s appointment marks an exciting new chapter for Premiership Women's Rugby as she takes on this pivotal leadership role. Her deep passion for advancing women’s sports, her strategic vision, and her impressive track record in high-performance environments make her uniquely qualified to lead the organisation through the next phase of its evolution.

"I am honoured to be appointed as the Executive Chair of Premiership Women's Rugby," said Shore, who became Chair of PWR in 2023.

"Women’s rugby has seen remarkable growth in recent years, and I’m excited to help drive further progress, both on and off the pitch. This is an exciting time for the sport, as 2025 will be the year of women's rugby, and I look forward to working closely with the clubs, players, and all stakeholders to help create a sustainable, dynamic, and inclusive future for women’s rugby in England."

As Executive Chair, Shore will oversee the strategic direction of Premiership Women's Rugby, strengthen partnerships with sponsors, and ensure the continued development of the PWR league. She will lead the PWR executive team on a day-to-day basis.

Gearing up for 2025, PWR has recently strengthened its executive team. Amy Kimber-Roberts has returned from maternity leave to take up the role of Strategy and Operations Director, Darren Hanley has joined from Ipswich Town FC as PWR’s new Head of Marketing and Emily Lowe has moved from the LTA into the new Head of Finance role.

Shore will also lead a powerful PWR Board which includes club directors Michelle Orange (Sale Sharks), Laurie Dalrymple (Harlequins) and both Alex Teasdale (Executive Director, Women's Game) and Conor O’Shea (Executive Director of the Professional Game) from the RFU. Their clear rugby expertise is complemented by Claire Rogan, a co-founder and former CFO of Two Circles as an Independent Non-Executive Director and Kelly Simmons as Board Advisor who is a trailblazer in women's football, who played a pivotal leadership role in the sport's growth and visibility.

"Genevieve brings deep and relevant expertise to this new role at Premiership Women's Rugby and I have enjoyed working with her since I joined the Board in July 2023," said Claire Rogan. "Her passion for growing women's sports, combined with her extensive background in driving growth and leading change, will undoubtedly benefit the entire rugby community she cares so deeply for.

“The Board is excited to be working with Genevieve in this new role and we look forward to what we can achieve together."