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RFU Appoint Corporate Communications and Public Affairs Director
The RFU today announced the appointment of Peter Thomas as RFU Corporate Communications and Public Affairs Director. This is a new position, reporting directly to Francis Baron OBE, RFU Chief Executive, which will head up a new integrated corporate communications and public affairs department within the RFU covering:

England Teams media management
Community Rugby media management
Political lobbying and Public Affairs
Corporate communications and publications
Local Community Relations
Internal RFU communications

Richard Prescott will take on the new role of England Teams Media Director with a remit to integrate our media and communications support across all England representative teams. Richard will report directly to Peter Thomas and work closely with Rob Andrew, Elite Rugby Director and Martin Johnson, England Team Manager.

Peter is currently Director of Marketing and Communications with Accenture covering the UK, Ireland and the Nordic countries.

He has worked for Accenture for the last four and a half years. Previous to that Peter was Head of Technology Practice at Hill & Knowlton, the leading global Communications agency, covering Europe, Middle East and Africa. Peter was also a member of their European Executive Committee.

Peter, who has a degree in Managerial and Administrative studies from the University of Aston, is married with three daughters and is an avid rugby fan and a member of HAC Rugby Club. He will be taking up his post during March 2009 and will be based at the RFU offices in Twickenham.

Francis Baron, RFU CEO said: "We are delighted to have been able to secure someone of Peter's experience and pedigree to fill this important new post. With the rapid expansion of the RFU's business activities following the completion of the South Stand development it is important that we have an integrated communications strategy across our activities be they rugby, commercial or business. Peter's appointment will enable us to deliver a comprehensive communications programme across all our activities, strengthen our media support for all the England teams and provide more focussed media support for Martin Johnson, his coaching and management team and for players in the EPS Squads"

Peter Thomas said "As someone who has had a long held interest in playing and watching rugby, the opportunity to play a role in the growth of the sport in England and around the world is hugely exciting. The RFU has such a great story to tell, over and above the Team England story, and to an ever diverse set of stakeholders and being able to bring my experience and skills to bear doing that is a challenge I can't wait to face".

(Source: RFU)