A former Tenby man, who is now a leading banker with the Principality Building Society in Cardiff, has ruled himself out of the running to become the new Welsh Rugby Union group chief executive.
Forty-seven-year-old Peter Griffiths, who was appointed chief executive of the Principality in 2002, had been widely tipped to replace former WRU chief, David Moffett, who deaprted from his role last November in the wake of the controversial circumstances surrounding Wales team coach Mike Ruddock's decision to quit.
However, with the job position now formally advertised, Mr. Griffiths, who was featured in the Observer recently following a charity climb of Mount Kilimanjaro in Africa along with WRU chairman David Pickering to raise money for NSPCC Cymru/Wales, declared yesterday (Thursday) that he had no intention of putting his name in the hat to be considered for the role.
"Whilst it is flattering to be associated with a position of this nature, I have advised the WRU that I do not wish to be included in the search and selection process," said Mr. Griffiths.
"My commitment to my current role at Wales' largest building society is undiminished and I look forward to working with the Principality team as we seek to further build this business over the years ahead," he added.
WRU chairman David Pickering revealed yesterday that applications for the post had been received before it had been advertised, and that the WRU were delighted with the response so far for what he described as one of the "most exciting and challenging jobs in the world."