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The Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) has appointed its first ever female chief executive.

Abi Tierney, who is currently the director general for customer services at the UK Government Home Office, will take over the helm of Welsh rugby’s governing body later this year.

She will take over from interim chief executive Nigel Walker, who will take on the new executive director for rugby role at the WRU.

Ms Tierney said: “The opportunity to lead the Welsh Rugby Union is an immense privilege and I relish the chance to make a lasting positive difference at such a critical time.”

Despite being from England, Ms Tierney’s father hails from Barry and she grew up supporting Wales.

She said: “My passion and commitment for this role is unquestionable and I feel a huge sense of pride having grown up in a family where my Dad is from Barry and where rugby has been a constant and positive force in our lives.

“Rugby has the ability to enable life chances and develop people on and off the pitch. In this role, I intend to take that heritage and the skills and learning I have gathered in my career to deliver the significant cultural advancement Welsh rugby deserves.

“I have a track record in positively shaping an organisation’s culture.”

Ms Tierney’s appointment follows recent turmoil within the WRU, which faced allegations of a “toxic culture” in a BBC documentary which aired in January this year. It resulted in the eventual resignation of chief executive Steve Phillips. 

It has led to big changes at the top of Welsh rugby, with Richard Collier-Keywood appointed as the WRU’s first independent chair earlier in the summer.

Mr Collier-Keywood hailed Ms Tierney’s appointment as a “major coup for Welsh rugby”.

Nigel Walker also welcomed Ms Tierney to the role and said: “I look forward to working closely with Abi to secure a positive and sustainable future for Welsh rugby.

“There is still much hard work to do, but we will continue to progress together and I remain hugely optimistic about the future of our game.”