Watson takes over as Warriors chairman

Eric Watson with Warriors captain Simon Mannering. Photo / Brett Phibbs

Warriors owner Eric Watson is taking over the chairmanship of the club.

And in further changes, the club has appointed successful Auckland businesswoman Niki Schuck to its board.

The reshaping of the NRL franchise's board follows Watson's move to acquire sole ownership of the club late last year after a fallout with co-owner Sir Owen Glenn.

It's the first time since Watson acquired the club in late 2000 that he has been a 100 per cent shareholder.

Under the new ownership model he becomes chairman, taking over from Bill Wavish who has been in the role since 2012. Wavish remains on the board as a director.

"With Eric the sole owner it's logical he should now become chairman," said Warriors managing director Jim Doyle. "It will mean Eric and I will have a closer working relationship."

Watson paid tribute to Wavish for his contribution as chairman.

"I'd like to thank Bill for the outstanding job he did during what have been challenging times, including ownership changes," he said.

As well as Watson becoming chairman, there are three new directors on the board in Owen Eastwood, Cameron George and Schuck.

"By bringing on Owen, Cameron and Niki the board now includes expertise covering all aspects of the business," said Doyle.

Southland-raised Eastwood, a lawyer, is a consultant to teams and organisations on developing high performance team culture. He has previous associations with the All Blacks through sponsor adidas, English Premier League club Chelsea, the South African cricket team and the military command group of NATO while he is currently retained by the City Football Group, who work with Manchester City, New York City and Melbourne City, the Scotland rugby union team, the executive committee of Investec and the (England) Football Association.

Australian-born George has been the Auckland Racing Club's CEO since 2012 and has a commercial, corporate and event management background.

Dunedin-born Schuck is a public relations and communications expert. She runs her own PR and talent management company and has previously had communications roles with Sky City, Westpac and House of Travel.