The founder of one of the UK's most successful price comparison firms Gocompare, Hayley Parsons, has been appointed to the board of Welsh professional rugby region the Cardiff Blues.
Ms Parsons, who is now a serial investor, having exiting her remaining equity in Newport-based Gocompare in 2014 to Esure in a £44m deal, said she would support the region to become commercially sustainable.
It is the first appointment to the club's board since Alun Jones, managing partner of law firm Hugh James, was appointed chairman in January.
Cwmbran-born Ms Parsons, 46, said: "I am very proud to be the first female board member of the Cardiff Blues. I am a huge supporter of Wales in terms of its economy, its people and the its potential, as well as Welsh rugby and the regions.
“In this role as a non-executive director, I will be looking at things from a fresh perspective and with a new approach. There’s a huge amount of potential here and there’s a lot more we could, and should, be doing to achieve that and I’m looking forward to getting stuck in and helping in any way I can.
“With the changes being made at Cardiff Blues at the moment, I am confident that we can develop a sustainable business model for the region, make sensible business decisions, while growing and developing as a business to deliver success. I’m very excited about joining the Cardiff Blues board and making a contribution to Welsh rugby."
Mr Jones said of her appointment: "I am very proud to be the first female board member of the Cardiff Blues. I am a huge supporter of Wales in terms of its economy, its people and the its potential, as well as Welsh rugby and the regions.
“In this role as a non-exec director, I will be looking at things from a fresh perspective and with a new approach.
"There’s a huge amount of potential here and there’s a lot more we could, and should, be doing to achieve that and I’m looking forward to getting stuck in and helping in any way I can.
“With the changes being made at Cardiff Blues at the moment, I am confident that we can develop a sustainable business model for the region, make sensible business decisions, while growing and developing as a business to deliver success. I’m very excited about joining the Cardiff Blues board and making a contribution to Welsh rugby."
Ms Parsons set up Gocompare in 2012, having previously been with the price comparison venture of Wales' only FTSE 100 firm, Admiral, Confused.com.
