In addition fellow members Anthony John and Brian Fowler were named as deputy chairman of the Rugby Committee and Regulatory Committee respectively.
A reshuffle at the top level of Welsh rugby’s administration has also seen Alan Jones appointed vice-chairman of the WRU Board, at its first gathering following the 2015 Annual General Meeting earlier this month.
The meeting welcomed newly elected board members Ian Jeffery, as a District A representative, Gwyn Bowden (District B) and Robert Butcher (District C), with Mal Beynon, Russell Howell and Humphrey Evans the outgoing members in the respective Districts who leave the Board.
Jones, who joined the Board in 2003 also sits on the Regulatory Committee and the Appointments and Remuneration Panel.
He replaces Ken Hewitt who stood down from the vice-chairman role after 11 years of service, although the District A representative remains on the WRU Board, the Millennium Stadium plc Board and the also sits on the Finance Committee.
“It is with great pleasure that we welcome Alan as vice-chairman of the WRU Board,” said WRU Group chairman Gareth Davies.
“It is a role Ken has performed with distinction over the past 11 years and we would all like to thank him for his commitment and dedication to his duties in that time.
“We also welcome both Anthony Buchanan and Anthony John to their roles on the Rugby Committee and David Young and Brian Fowler to their new positions on the Regulatory Committee. The composition of the board has changed significantly following the AGM in a way that we are confident will take the Group forward.
“The Board also welcomes Ian Jeffery, Gwyn Bowden and Robert Butcher as well as our newly appointed CEO Martyn Phillips.”
On accepting his new role as vice-chairman of the Board Jones stood down as chairman of the Rugby Committee, the position to which Buchanan has now been appointed.
“These are exciting times for Welsh rugby and I look forward with relish to the challenges ahead,” added Jones, who is a former captain and current secretary and life member of Bryncoch rugby club.
“I am extremely grateful to my fellow Directors for their support and promise to do my utmost to fulfil the role to the best of my ability and thus repay their confidence in me.”
