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Munster act swiftly in appointing interim CEO
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Munster have appointed former Hurricanes chief executive Avan Lee as their interim CEO as the province prepares for Ian Flanagan’s departure at the end of October.
Lee will take up the position towards the end of the month, less than a year after ending a decade-long spell in charge of the Wellington-based Super Rugby side.
The 10-year tenure included the Hurricanes’ first Super Rugby title in 2016, while the franchise went on to win Super Rugby Pacific again in 2026, several months after Lee had stepped down. He left the role last November following changes at board level and wider developments within the organisation.
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His arrival comes after Munster confirmed last week that Flanagan would leave the role he has held since 2019. A recruitment process for a permanent successor is still expected to follow.
The appointment also comes shortly after former Munster and Ireland captain Peter O’Mahony called for a “governance change” at the province, arguing that Munster needed somebody with the organisation’s “best interests at heart” overseeing its direction.
Lee also has previous ties to Irish rugby after spending almost a decade living in Ireland and playing club rugby.
Munster chair Ger Malone said: “We are delighted to appoint Avan as Interim CEO of Munster Rugby.
“Throughout the interview process, Avan impressed the Board with both the breadth of his rugby experience and his clear understanding of the opportunities and challenges facing professional sports organisations today.
“He brings strong leadership credentials, significant rugby expertise and a collaborative approach that we believe will be hugely valuable to Munster Rugby.”
Lee added: “I am honoured to be appointed Interim CEO of Munster Rugby.
“While my professional career has taken me around the world, Ireland has been an important part of my own rugby journey.
“There are important challenges ahead but I firmly believe there is also tremendous opportunity.”
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