PREM Rugby appoints Charlotte Samuelson as COO

PREM Rugby has appointed Charlotte Samuelson as its new Chief Operating Officer, with the former World Rugby executive set to lead key operational and business transformation functions.

Samuelson joins PREM Rugby after serving as Chief Operating Officer at World Rugby from 2022. During her time there, she played a central role in the organisation’s business transformation and helped establish its global services division.

In her new role, Samuelson will have executive responsibility for the newly formed Club Office, as well as finance, HR and business transformation. Her appointment comes at a significant stage for PREM Rugby as the league looks to deliver its next phase of growth.

PREM Rugby Club Office Expansion Plans

The Club Office will see Samuelson work closely with the 10 Gallagher PREM clubs, the RFU, the Championship board and Premiership Women’s Rugby.

The role is linked to PREM Rugby’s plans for a new expansion league, following the agreement announced earlier this year.

Samuelson said she was excited to join the organisation at an important time and was looking forward to helping drive the league’s expansion plans through the Club Office.

“I am thrilled to be joining PREM Rugby at such an exciting time for the league and the game as a whole.

“Driving the PREM Rugby expansion plans through the Club Office is something that I can’t wait to get started on.”

Charlotte Samuelson Rugby Leadership Experience

Samuelson brings more than two decades of senior leadership experience across sport, financial services and professional services. She has previously held roles at Close Brothers, Vanquis Bank, Barclays Bank, Grant Thornton, EY and the BBC.

At World Rugby, she also served as a director on the boards of the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 and Men’s Rugby World Cup 2027.

PREM Rugby CEO Simon Massie-Taylor said Samuelson’s experience in complex organisations and understanding of the rugby landscape made her the right person for the role.

“Charlotte is an outstanding operator with a track record of delivering at the highest level in sport, so I am delighted to welcome her to the team.

“Her experience leading complex organisations at multiple levels, combined with her deep understanding of the rugby landscape, makes her the ideal person to lead our newly-formed Club Office with our partners throughout the game.”