GoCompare founder joins board of under-fire Welsh region with hopes of making it sustainable

Entrepreneur Hayley Parsons has become the first woman to be appointed to the board of Cardiff Blues – and claimed it can put its financial problems behind it.

The move was announced after the Blues were panned in a scathing open letter from its supporters’ Trust over its "poor relationship" with Arms Park landlords Cardiff Athletic Club.

The CF10 Arms Park Rugby Trust Board went public with its concerns following the settlement of the latest dispute between the Blues and CAC over outstanding rent for use of the ground.

The Blues staved off the threat of a winding up order by last month paying off arrears of about £140,000.

But the supporters’ Trust called on the regional entity to come together with CAC and agree a mutually beneficial way forward to avoid further disputes.

The Blues responded to the calls from the Trust , saying: "We are currently engaged in a new round of talks and all partners are committed to using their best endeavours to ensure that the optimum outcomes are achieved for professional and semi-professional rugby at this famous ground."

Officials at the Blues, led by chief executive Richard Holland, want to develop the Arms Park and turn it into a modern stadium but have been unable to win backing for the ambitious plan from CAC.

Now the Blues have appointed Cwmbran-born Parsons, who founded financial services comparison website GoCompare and sold her shares, which were valued at £44m, in the company in 2015, as a non-executive director.

She is a member of Inspire Wales, an investment consortium made up of 20 successful Welsh business people who work to find exciting businesses to invest in and mentor.

The 45-year-old believes the Blues has enormous potential, saying: "I am a huge supporter of Wales in terms of its economy, its people and 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, 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."

Alun Jones, who succeeded chief benefactor Peter Thomas as Blues chairman last November, expressed his delight at Parsons agreeing to join the board.

"I have no doubt that she will prove an invaluable addition," said Jones.

"Hayley has a diverse and hugely successful business background and will bring strong commercial, marketing and social media experience, which will be beneficial to the region’s business plan.

"This is just the latest step in the modernisation of our board and our corporate governance and demonstrates our desire to become more diverse and representative of all of our stakeholders."

In its open letter to the Blues and CAC, the Trust said: "The poor relationship which exists between the two inextricably linked organisations is doing immeasurable reputational damage to Cardiff rugby and is a major factor in our fall from grace in the rugby world.

"The payment of the rent arrears and the withdrawal of legal action is to be welcomed, but it’s only an immediate problem solved, which awaits the next catastrophe.

"Each side blames the other, but the fact of the matter is both sides have to take responsibility for the poor relationship which exists between them.

"There appears to be a belief that your boards and management committees are only accountable to themselves and not to those they are meant to serve.

"As a result, there is currently a complete lack of confidence that the challenges facing Cardiff rugby can be effectively solved. This cannot continue."

The Blues’ existing lease on the Arms Park with CAC is due to expire in 2022.