One of the questions frequently raised by players and members is ‘just who is on the Board?’ What follows is a short history of the Club’s management structure which I hope will be of interest.
The Club moved away from the traditional Committee format in 2003 with the formation of KRUFC as a Company Limited by Guarantee. Since then the Board has been in existence, with Directors elected by the membership at the AGM. They serve three-year terms with the option to retire or offer themselves for re-election at the AGM. We also have the formal position of Company Secretary.
The Directors appoint a Chairman and it has been my privilege to hold that post for the last eighteen years. As many of you will know, it has not been all plain sailing, but we have managed to secure the Club financially through difficult times and moved to our superb new premises in 2017.
Members approved our registration as a Charity in 2015, prior to our move from the old ‘Mint Bridge’, and this necessitated registering an additional linked Company (Kendal Rugby (Trading) Ltd), which carries out the business aspects of the Club (selling food and drink plus funding the men’s 1st team).

All the elected Directors are Trustees of the Charity and subject to the extensive guidance published by the Charity Commission. These positions are unpaid so we freely give our time to support the financial security of the Club. In addition, three of us are Directors of the Trading Company, a body that ‘rents’ the use of the facilities from the owner of the Club’s assets - the Charity.

If all this sounds complicated – it is. We meet as a main Board quarterly, but there are other regular group meetings covering Rugby, Income-generation, Finance, Food & Beverage and Social events. I am pleased to tell you that we have recently appointed Claire Park as Vice Chair to strengthen our governance and succession planning.

The Board’s core function is to ensure the security of the Club so we can play rugby ‘in perpetuity’ as set out in the original Deed of Covenant in the mid-1920s. All the Trustees are liable, in the legal sense, for the governance of the Club and control of the finances. The Club has had to generate additional income from business activities in the light of reduced financial support from the RFU and hugely increased energy costs. We simply cannot raise enough income to support the Club’s activities from eleven home games in a season.

As the Club developed as a ‘business’ we have sought to widen the skill set and diversity of the Board to reflect the needs of a modern community rugby club. I set out below the existing Board members and those who have indicated their willingness to join us. You will see the direction of travel, which will help us face the challenges in these difficult economic times.

Current Board. Brief outline.
Stephen Green, Chairman, retired GP, moved to Kendal in 1979 so an ‘offcomer’, was a player, medical officer for many years, son was club captain, hands on in a practical sense, maintenance jobs as well as ‘the buck stops here’ position. On both Charity and Trading.
Mike Barr, Company Secretary to both the Charity and Trading Co. Retired banking executive, ex Club captain, wise counsel.
Chris Wheatman self-employed Financial Advisor, ex player, Charity trustee, chairs Finance and Investment group.
Jon Nicholson, known by all as Bully, ex Club captain, traditional loyal Kendalian, Charity trustee.
Arthur Perie, recent player, current President and recently appointed President of Cumbria RFU, oversees social rugby and referee contact, chairs Food & Beverage group, on both Charity and Trading Company.
Billy Coxon, recently retired player, universally admired as one of the best props in rugby, played over 400 games. Our current FD and Director of Rugby. On Charity and Trading Company.
Mike Bowerbank ex player, retired engineer, previous President and helps with maintenance issues and H&S. Charity trustee.
Danny Airey, Royal Marine still in naval recruitment, responsible for Mini and Youth section. Charity trustee.
Chris Hayton, from a family deeply involved with the Club. A player who has held many official positions within the Club over the years, most recently Director of Rugby. Charity Trustee
Claire Park, our newest recruit to the Board. Claire is Chief Executive of a local Charity and has over 25 years working within the voluntary and charitable sector at both local and national level. Claire instigated the Volunteer register and chairs the Social Committee. Claire also leads on our social media communications. Charity trustee

We have three prospective Board members who are invited to attend Board meetings and will be offering themselves for election at the next AGM

Andrew Blenkharn. Retired manager at a large Insurance Co. Brings his experience of business management and has written our new Strategic Plan.
Jo Milton. Experienced HR consultant who has helped us with guidance over employment issues. A great addition to the balance of the Board.
Fleur Stanton. Current player and founder member of the successful Wasps team that achieved promotion last season. She will bring her skills as a business analyst to help the Board.

Let’s not forget that the Club also benefits from a large number of volunteers who give their time to help in so many ways…helping in the bar and No8, routine maintenance, rubbish collection, gate duty and marshalling the car park are just a few examples. They work with our excellent staff who are the backbone of the Club and ensure we deliver the customer service expected by members and visitors alike.

I, and the rest of the Board, wish to recognise all those who contribute to the Club’s success.
All the best for the forthcoming season, kind regards, Stephen Green
Chairman KRUFC
24/7/2023