World Rugby can confirm that Charlotte Samuelson will be stepping down as Chief Operating Officer at the end of January 2026.
Since joining in 2022, Samuelson has played a key role in the transformation of World Rugby’s business model, establishing the global services division, and setting central corporate functions up for success to support a new Rugby World Cup delivery model.
Samuelson served as director on the boards of both Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 and Men’s Rugby World Cup 2027. She played a central role in appointing Gill Whitehead OBE as Chair and Sarah Massey MBE as Managing Director for the record-breaking Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 in England. The tournament set new benchmarks for attendance, engagement, and social and sporting impact.
World Rugby Chair Brett Robinson said: “Charlotte has made an outstanding contribution to World Rugby at a pivotal time for the organisation and for the global game. Her leadership, strategic insight and commitment to excellence have helped strengthen our foundations and elevate our major events capability, including a landmark Women’s Rugby World Cup. We are grateful for her dedication and wish her every success in the future.”
Samuelson added: “I have truly enjoyed my time at World Rugby and feel immensely proud of everything my colleagues have achieved. It has been a privilege to work alongside such talented and dedicated people, and I will miss them greatly. That said, I am very much looking forward to embracing a new challenge and the opportunities ahead.”
Everyone at World Rugby thanks Charlotte for her significant contribution and leadership, and wishes her every success in the next chapter of her career.
