Ex-WRU boss takes salty ‘sports administration isn’t for everyone’ swipe at current CEO Abi Tierney

David Moffett has taken his latest swipe at Abi Tierney, the Welsh Rugby Union CEO. Posting on LinkedIn on Friday, the same day it was confirmed that the House of Luxury Group he is involved with had taken a 55 per cent controlling stake in Scarlets, he wrote about his recent UK passport renewal experience.

Tierney previously worked as director general of HM Passport Office and UK Visas and Immigration, and Moffett praised her for the customer service he received from the organisation on his renewal journey.

However, the compliment came with a salty twist as the 2003-2005 WRU CEO added that sports administration was “a whole different animal” with a “steep learning curve” that wasn’t suitable for everyone.

Moffett began: “I have to give credit where it’s due. I have been critical of WRU CEO Abi Tierney from time to time. I do think she has stepped into a world that she was unprepared for.

“A whole different animal…”

“However, I recently decided to renew my British passport as it had lapsed. So I ventured online to start what I thought would be a torturous journey.

“The reality was so much different. My passport consultant Saretha has been amazing, and my new passport is already on its way. The journey started on July 8.

“Abi Tierney served as director general of HM Passport Office and UK Visas and Immigration and was obviously central to the organisation that exceeds customer expectations.

“We all have a purpose in life, and I can’t help thinking that she is best suited to the type of role she had prior to WRU. Working in sports administration is a whole different animal, and there is a very steep learning curve. It’s not for everyone.”

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Moffett, who is based in New Zealand, also posted separately on LinkedIn about the Scarlets’ takeover. “Recently, I was appointed to the board of House of Luxury Group and thence, as the head of the fully owned division House of Sports and Entertainment.

“We have just announced a deal with the Scarlets where we have taken over the day-to-day management of the club whilst reporting to the Scarlets board. This is a precursor to taking a 55% shareholding, depending on the outcome of the soon-to-be-conducted WRU review.

“The owner of HOL is a self-made successful businesswoman who hails from Pontypridd. Her enthusiasm for Welsh rugby is infectious, and she wants to help answer the only question going forward, which is ‘What is in the best interests of Welsh rugby as a whole’.

“I am honoured to be part of her awesome team, and we should start to see some positive results in weeks, not months.”

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