Matthew Thomas - Secretary
| Managed | Wales RL Management |
Position – Secretary
Date of appointment - 26/09/2024
Email here
Doctorate of Engineering – Manufacturing & Materials
Batchelor of Engineering - Material Science
Chartered Environmentalist & Fellow of IOM3
Project Management - Prince2
Lean Six Sigma – Black Belt
I am a Senior Environmental and Decarbonisation Leader with over 18 years of experience driving large-scale industrial transitions across industry, government, and academia. My career has focused on providing independent, evidence-based advice to senior decision-makers and steering complex, multi-billion pound transformation programmes.
Matthew has led the governance of TSUK for Environment, health and safety and managed national decarbonisation programmes for Natural Resources Wales. He brings significant experience in embedding ISO-certified management systems and designing digital reporting platforms to enhance transparency and accountability. His strategic expertise lies in aligning operational delivery with long-term policy and regulatory frameworks.
Core Competencies & Areas of Support
Within the WRL Board, I aim to support on Governance and Strategy. I can provide expert support in:
• Stakeholder Engagement: Drawing on my experience liaising between academic, government, regulators, and industry.
WRL Strategic Vision & Success Metrics
What does success look like in 12 months? (e.g., specific governance changes, financial targets, or participation numbers)
Implementation of a stabilised governance framework and a digital reporting system for better transparency and public engagement.
What does success look like in 2–5 Years? (e.g., the long-term impact on the sport in Wales and the Board’s legacy)
Establishing a long-term legacy where WRL is recognised for its best-in-class governance, financial sustainability, and clear strategic alignment with national sport objectives.
Identify the three most urgent issues we must address in the short- to medium-term and provide your initial thoughts on the solutions.
Priority 1: Governance Strengthening
Proposed Solution: Improve existing processes and embed consistent compliance, performance and improvement monitoring across all WRL operations
Priority 2: Digital Transparency
Proposed Solution: Deploy a modern reporting system to track KPIs and improvement (scorecards) and enhance stakeholder confidence
Priority 3: Strategic Efficiency
Proposed Solution: Streamline administrative workflows by clear organisation
What drives your passion for sport, and specifically, why have you chosen to dedicate your time to Wales Rugby League?
I am driven by the opportunity to apply my professional expertise in governance and leadership to benefit the community. Having chaired the UK’s IOM3 Sustainable Development Group, I am passionate about driving cross-sector collaboration to achieve ambitious goals.
Which core values (e.g., Integrity, Inclusion, Ambition) do you bring to your decision-making on this Board?
Honesty, Transparency, Curiosity, Sustainability and Evidence-Based Decision Making.
Beyond the Boardroom
Outside of your professional life, what are your key interests, hobbies, or family commitments?
Outside of work, I am heavily involved in professional leadership as the Chair of the IOM3 UK Sustainable & Resource Group.
Coach for Afan United Football U6/7’s girls.
Family commitments with wife and daughter and pending future daughter.
What are your two greatest achievements (include an example of personal and work-related)
Obtaining my Engineering Doctorate after 12 years of higher education while delivering multi-million-pound cost-saving innovations for the UK steel industry.
Date of appointment - 26/09/2024
Email here
Doctorate of Engineering – Manufacturing & Materials
Batchelor of Engineering - Material Science
Chartered Environmentalist & Fellow of IOM3
Project Management - Prince2
Lean Six Sigma – Black Belt
I am a Senior Environmental and Decarbonisation Leader with over 18 years of experience driving large-scale industrial transitions across industry, government, and academia. My career has focused on providing independent, evidence-based advice to senior decision-makers and steering complex, multi-billion pound transformation programmes.
Matthew has led the governance of TSUK for Environment, health and safety and managed national decarbonisation programmes for Natural Resources Wales. He brings significant experience in embedding ISO-certified management systems and designing digital reporting platforms to enhance transparency and accountability. His strategic expertise lies in aligning operational delivery with long-term policy and regulatory frameworks.
Core Competencies & Areas of Support
Within the WRL Board, I aim to support on Governance and Strategy. I can provide expert support in:
- Compliance and Audit: Leveraging my experience in achieving zero audit non-conformances across multiple UK sites.
- Strategic Roadmap Development: Using Lean Six Sigma and PRINCE2 methodologies to ensure efficient project delivery.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Drawing on my experience liaising between academic, government, regulators, and industry.
WRL Strategic Vision & Success Metrics
What does success look like in 12 months? (e.g., specific governance changes, financial targets, or participation numbers)
Implementation of a stabilised governance framework and a digital reporting system for better transparency and public engagement.
What does success look like in 2–5 Years? (e.g., the long-term impact on the sport in Wales and the Board’s legacy)
Establishing a long-term legacy where WRL is recognised for its best-in-class governance, financial sustainability, and clear strategic alignment with national sport objectives.
Identify the three most urgent issues we must address in the short- to medium-term and provide your initial thoughts on the solutions.
Priority 1: Governance Strengthening
Proposed Solution: Improve existing processes and embed consistent compliance, performance and improvement monitoring across all WRL operations
Priority 2: Digital Transparency
Proposed Solution: Deploy a modern reporting system to track KPIs and improvement (scorecards) and enhance stakeholder confidence
Priority 3: Strategic Efficiency
Proposed Solution: Streamline administrative workflows by clear organisation
What drives your passion for sport, and specifically, why have you chosen to dedicate your time to Wales Rugby League?
I am driven by the opportunity to apply my professional expertise in governance and leadership to benefit the community. Having chaired the UK’s IOM3 Sustainable Development Group, I am passionate about driving cross-sector collaboration to achieve ambitious goals.
Which core values (e.g., Integrity, Inclusion, Ambition) do you bring to your decision-making on this Board?
Honesty, Transparency, Curiosity, Sustainability and Evidence-Based Decision Making.
Beyond the Boardroom
Outside of your professional life, what are your key interests, hobbies, or family commitments?
Outside of work, I am heavily involved in professional leadership as the Chair of the IOM3 UK Sustainable & Resource Group.
Coach for Afan United Football U6/7’s girls.
Family commitments with wife and daughter and pending future daughter.
What are your two greatest achievements (include an example of personal and work-related)
Obtaining my Engineering Doctorate after 12 years of higher education while delivering multi-million-pound cost-saving innovations for the UK steel industry.
